Excerpt from The Guardian
The possibility of a faculty strike at Wright State has been looming over the shoulders of the campus community for months; it reached a peak with the faculty union announcing their intent to file for a strike. A tentative strike date has been set for Tuesday, Jan. 22 — the second week of classes.
These updates have provoked responses from campus community leaders and the student body alike.
After The Guardian reported on Saturday, Jan. 5, that the faculty union intended to file for a strike, people took to Twitter to share their thoughts on the potential staff walk-out.
Student body President Daniel Palmer said that the union’s decision would kill student morale and harm the university’s reputation. “Extremely disappointed by this announcement,” he said. “Definitely not a move that puts students first!”
Other members of Student Government Association also chimed in.
“During the difficult time that we will face, it is my hope that all student leaders will work to maintain the morale of the student body,” said Ivan Mallett, SGA chief of staff. “We love our school, and we will continue to love our school regardless of the challenges that we face.”
Similarly, students shared their thoughts on the social media platform.
“In the face of these trying times at Wright State, I’m not going anywhere. I’m not backing down. I’m standing with my university and my fellow students. Hold tight. We’ll make it. We’re raiders,” said Lee Huntsberger, a Wright State student.
Other members of the campus community took to different means of expressing their opinions. A rock mural on campus has recently been twice repainted to read “Wright State, Wrong Faculty” as well as “Fighting for ourselves” and “Our students equal last priority.”
