NJUS State-Wide Day of Action (Wednesday, April 13th)

Well, April 13th is only a week away and Day of Action is planned, plotted, and poised to call college students from Ramapo to Trenton into action.

That's right—New Jersey's United Students are going to be demonstrating all across the state next wednesday in the hope of calling attention to toll of underfunding public higher-education. New Jersey ranked 50th this year in provision for public universities, a mark that sits in stark contrast to the states previously impressive funding for primary and secondary public education. It might seem as though higher-ed is just another victim of Governor Christie's budget cuts, but a look into the past proves otherwise:

New Jersey's funding for public universities has dropped 18% since 2007, before Christie took office, and moved us back in the state rankings for post-secondary school expenditures... Moved us back an astonishing single place from 49th to 50th, to be exact. So it's pretty apparent that the Garden State hasn't given its college students the money they deserve for a while, now.

NJUS plans to change that, and their first orchestrated call-to-action is next Wednesday. Students will be walking out, demonstrating, holding discussions, spreading the word, making a racket and having a damn-good time doing it (especially if they are sad they missed the 70's)—all to call attention to the gross mistreatment of public higher ed at the state level. Montclair State University, William Patterson University, Jersey City University, Ramapo College of New Jersey, Rowan University, TCNJ (The College of New Jersey), all three Rutgers Campuses, and—you guessed it—Kean University will be hosting events put together by local NJUS members.

Kean's schedule of events is still in the works, but we know about two things that are definitely happening between 12:30PM and 4:30PM:

The Frisbee-Toss for Student Freedoms:
Join fellow students outside the University Center and Library for lively games of frisbee—feel free to get competitive or just fool around. Bring your own frisbee and your own friends, or join a game and take the opportunity to meet other Kean students, discuss the problems that NJ Higher Ed faces both on campus and at the state level, and learn about the US's first-ever state-wide Student Union, NJUS.


The Towel-Lay Against Tuition Hikes:
You've heard that we're not allowed on the grass at Kean University? Well apparently it's A-Okay if you're laying or sunbathing on a towel, so bring one by and enjoy the grass that's so much greener without foot-traffic! Share your college experience with other New Jersey students and learn why our state is number 50 out of 50 in provision for Higher Education. Make your voice heard (in the most relaxing way possible) by laying on the grass!

Check out Kean's Day of Action Facebook event, which is open to all, as well as the NJUS Statewide Day of Action Facebook event in order to sign up, show your support, and learn more!