CGW Representative Assembly Resolution #1617-04
A Resolution to Organize for a Sanctuary Campus Policy.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY HERE GATHERED THAT:
WHEREAS, The graduate employee body at the University of Missouri is a diverse constituency with members of minority and vulnerable populations, including but not limited to international students and undocumented students; and
WHEREAS, Governmental actions in recent months have threatened the health and wellbeing of members of vulnerable populations, such as raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the potential elimination of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, and the so-called “Muslim Ban” executive orders; and
WHEREAS, Movements that call upon colleges and universities to act as Sanctuary Campuses, which seek to protect the health, wellbeing, and livelihoods of vulnerable students, have been founded at approximately 185 colleges and universities; and
WHEREAS, A preliminary Listening Session held on March 15th, 2017, demonstrated strong potential for community support on this issue, which provides an opportunity for the Local to build stronger relationships within the Columbia community; and
WHEREAS, The Missouri National Education Association and the National Education Association have offered support for sanctuary campus organizing, including providing training, resources, and the assistance of an NEA staff organizer; and
WHEREAS, Social justice is a primary tenant of our Local, as established in our Bylaws; and
WHEREAS, It is the moral responsibility of this union to seek protections for all graduate employees of the University of Missouri, including international students, immigrants, and the undocumented; THEREFORE BE IT
RESOLVED, By a vote of the Representative Assembly here gathered, that the Coalition of Graduate Workers shall add the issue of implementing Sanctuary Campus policies at the University of Missouri to its organizing strategy; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the implementation of this policy shall be handled by the Diversity Officer and the International Student Affairs Officer, with the assistance of the other members of the Coordinating Committee; and
RESOLVED, That any Local funding for this campaign shall be drawn from the Organizing portion of the Local’s budget, as approved by the Coordinating Committee.
SUBMITTED,
Eric Scott, Co-Chair
Coalition of Graduate Workers 