Students and faculty will hold a panel discussion Thursday, Oct. 7 at 2:45 p.m. at the amphitheater in the Woodbury Campus Center in Portland, as part of a national campaign organized by the American Association of University Professors to call attention to budget cuts and reduction of services at universities across the country.
The discussion — which will feature professors George Caffentzis, Eileen Eagan, Jason Read, and students Mako Bates and Marie Follayttar — will focus on how the national economic crisis affects USM and the University of Maine System. Also contributing is Glenn Cummings, former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Education.
Jason Read, professor of philosophy, said the current financial situation is an assault on public education. “Students face increased tuitions and fees, increased class sizes, less classes to choose from, and cuts to administration and support,” he said. “This will be a chance to learn about the situation in public education, to talk to other students, and to address politicians.”
According to Read, several Maine State Senate and House of Representatives candidates have said they will be there, including Justin Alfond and Alex Steed.