Washington Week: Student Voices (O)

U. Massachussetts sets up 'Tent State University'
By Dan Magazu
Massachusetts Daily Collegian (U. Massachusetts)
04/18/2006

(U-WIRE) AMHERST, Mass. — A free dinner and open forum at the University of Massachusetts kicked off "Tent State University" last night on the Student Union lawn. The event, which runs all week, will feature over 140 workshops and open classes that discuss university funding and diversity issues.

"The underlying message for the week is that we need a more affordable and more accessible UMass," said Darren Griffis, a grad student and volunteer for the event. "There will be other messages that go along with that, but the main theme is funding for the university."

Highlighting the week will be a visit by Cindy Sheehan Tuesday night at 8 p.m. Sheehan has become one of the leading voices in the anti-war movement ever since she camped outside President Bush's Texas ranch this past summer. She will be discussing a possible link between the war in Iraq and declining support for higher education.

Also speaking tonight will be Preston Smith, a Mount Holyoke Professor and the National co-Chair of the Labor Party's Free Higher Education Campaign. Smith will be discussing funding for higher education.

A number of teaching assistants and professors will be holding their classes outside on the lawn this week.

"One of the big things we wanted to emphasize is that these classes are completely open to the public," said Griffis. "We have done a considerable amount to reach out to the public for this event."

The first ever Tent State University was held at Rutgers University in 2003. This year, schools across the country are holding similar events. This is the first year UMass has participated.

The Student Government Association has been one of many groups helping to coordinate the week-long event.

"There has been a coalition of on and off campus groups coordinating this event," said UMass Student Trustee Mishy Leiblum. "The SGA sees this as a way to raise awareness about issues of affordability and access in a way that goes beyond protest politics."

"We like how this event is inclusive, as opposed to some past events the SGA has been involved in," said SGA President Elvis Mendez. "We really want to reach out to the student body."

Other events going on this week include a virtual march for contract funding being held Wednesday afternoon on the Student Union steps. People are encouraged to come and call state legislators and ask them to fund UMass Union contracts. There will also be workshops focused around race and genetics.

On Thursday, there will be a workshop on free higher education. The Massachusetts Campaign for Free Higher Education will be discussing how federal funding based on a GI Bill model would address the issue of education accessibility.

Every night during the week there will be open democratic meetings held.

"During these meetings we will talk about the issues that were brought up over the course of the day and hopefully come up with a platform of ideas," said Griffis. "This week is about more than having an educational experience. We want to use it as a vehicle for change."

If you are interested in learning more about Tent State University or seeing a schedule of all the workshops and classes being held, you can visit www.tentstateumass.org.

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