Today, February 19th is the National Day of Action for Higher Education. This marks the beginning of a nationwide campaign to unite students and higher education workers to let Washington know that we will not tolerate federal funding freezes, limiting federal funds to colleges or universities based on ideology, or attacks on our colleagues or students. Together, we understand that everyone deserves access to world-class healthcare, innovative research, and high-quality public higher education. The evidence is clear: When we invest in education and research, everyone—not just the wealthy—can thrive.
We need YOU to take action:
Members of the IFO will not remain silent while our opportunities and future are being stolen. Public colleges and universities, lifesaving research, and good jobs must be protected, expanded, and fully funded.
Today, you can join thousands of your colleagues, workers, and students across the country and take action to protect higher education.
Right now, billionaires and the politicians who serve them are gutting public higher education. For example:
· Politicians are pushing through an arbitrary cap on the indirect costs of NIH grants. This starves institutions of the funds needed for administrative assistance, janitorial services, building maintenance, and other necessary expenses.
· Unelected appointees are slashing funding and driving universities toward closures, mass layoffs, and severe cuts to programs that small businesses, students, and communities rely on.
· This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet. Without it, lifesaving research on diseases like cancer, Alzheimer’s, and diabetes will halt. Colleges and universities will have to lay off workers, and students will have fewer opportunities for higher education.
· President Trump’s administration wants to gut efforts that make college affordable and accessible to all students. We won’t let them.
Contact your Senators and Representatives to let them know that our communities need:
· Full funding for research grants so that breakthroughs serve the public, not just corporate greed.
· An end to mass layoffs and austerity on our campuses.
· A fully funded and accessible higher education system designed so students and workers—not just the wealthy—can thrive.
Click here to send an email message to your U.S. Senators and Representative. There is also information on how to call their offices to make your voice heard.
When we fight together, we win!