JERSEY CITY – Today at noon New Jersey City University students, faculty, and staff plan to hold a demonstration to protest what they call the “continued attack on public higher education.”
The protesters say they want to call attention to policies of the administration of Gov. Christopher Christie that they believe have led to increased class sizes, a decrease in the support for essential programs, and more debt burden for students. Similar protests are expected to also take place today at the nine other public universities and colleges across the state.
As part of the protest, members of the American Federation of Teachers, Local 1839, also plan to demonstrate against the New Jersey Presidents’ Council, a body representing New Jersey’s public colleges and universities. NJCU teachers, who have been working for 10 months without a contract, say the presidents’ council has undermined contract negotiations.
A spokesperson for the union said the so-called “day of protest” was called because, “Students who make sacrifices to attend New Jersey’s public colleges and universities have a right to quality education, and professors and staffs should be supported in their work in providing students with the best possible opportunities for successful futures.”
The rally will take place in front of the science building and will include comments from several speakers before demonstrators take a protest walk across campus.