According to UC Davis news release (UC Davis News & Information :: Dateline :: UC Davis to host regents, “teach-ins”)
“UC Davis is preparing for a day of civil discourse and peaceful expression, as the campus hosts members of the University of California Board of Regents and faculty and students organize “teach-ins” on public disinvestment in higher education, the Occupy movement and other topics.”
“If you’re planning to attend the UC Davis portion of the audioconference, please be prepared for a search of backpacks – and don’t bring banners or bottled water, which will not be allowed in the ARC ballroom.”
Just got this email and it seems worth sharing
Dear Colleagues,
On Friday we sent all of you a link to the Faculty Code of Conduct that includes on page three a statement of academic freedom rights. The Davis Division of the Academic Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility unanimously voted to issue the following statement:
“The UC Davis Academic Senate Committee on Academic Freedom and Responsibility (CAFR) condemns violence as well as directives and policies that are likely to lead to it. The role of a university in society is to serve as a beacon of compassion and tolerance to foster thoughtful discourse. Academic freedom is the pilot light protecting knowledge production and should protect all members of the university engaged in civil discourse without fear or threat of coercive retaliation or physical harm. In light of an emerging pattern of policies and behaviors counter to these principles, we call on all University of California administrators to undergo training in the importance of academic freedom and how to protect and foster it against financial, political, and social pressures. We also plan to review recent events in order to assess to what degree academic freedom rights were violated and to make policy recommendations to safeguard academic freedom at University of California campuses. – unanimously agreed by CAFR members”
Linda F. Bisson
Chair, Davis Division of the Academic Senate
Professor, Viticulture and Enology
Just got this email about the call for a General Strike apparently from OccupyUCDavis folks. It was from someone I do not know named Eric Lee. Not sure if he is a UC Davis student or not.
Dear UC Davis Faculty Member,
On behalf of the 99.5% of students, faculty, and workers who voted in favor of a General Strike to be held this coming Monday, November 28th, we are asking that you cancel your scheduled classes or hold your class on the quad this coming Monday in solidarity with your fellow community members against the terrible acts of police brutality committed this past week on our campus.
Our call for a walk-out lies on a series of undeniable principles of equality and democracy that we all share:
1) The right to peacefully redress government for grievances of social inequality under the first amendment
2) The right to not be brutally beaten for exercising these rights
3) Teachers, TAs, professors, faculty, and staff have the right to tenure and a fair wage
4) Education is a social right and fee-increases and budget cuts are unnecessary given the obscene plundering of the economy by the richest Americans over the past years
5) The fight for education is synonymous with the fight for equality in all social realms: housing, food, healthcare, transportation, energy, etc.
6) The US Government’s prioritization of war and tax cuts for the rich above social services for working Americans is unjust and should be reversed
This is a call to join the walkout against police brutality and social inequality. We are making space and facilities (white boards, etc.) available for all who are interested in holding class on the quad. Any special requests by teachers and faculty will be accommodated to the best of our ability.
Please respond to this email letting us know which of the three options you will be choosing:
a) I plan to cancel all classes Monday
b) I plan to hold classes in the quad Monday
c) I do not plan to cancel classes and I do not support the fight for public education
Please let us know of your plans ASAP.
Thank you for your cooperation!
-Occupy UC Davis
– – –
Note: A link to the General Strike proposal can be found here:
http://reclaimuc.blogspot.com/2011/11/uc-davis-strike-call.html
I note – as of 30 minutes ago I was planning on doing a teach in on Monday in the Quad and still hope to. But I confess I am a bit worried about the direction and tone of the OccupyUCDavis movement based on this email.
UPDATE – I presume this “Eric Lee” is the same as the one who wrote the following:
The “Pepper Spray Incident” and the Inevitable Radicalization of the UC Student Body
Jonathan Eisen's Lab 