What is the point in telling the students of 14 state universities to attend class if they know their professor won’t be there?

Sure the schools would be “open”, but no learning would be happening.

Today was the start of the Association of Pennsylvania State College and University Faculties’ (APSCUF) strike against the Pennsylvania State System of Higher education (PASSHE).

As one of the 110,000 students at a PASSHE university this affects my education greatly. But I will stand in solidarity with my educators.

Last night, during the final countdown prior to the declared strike, Chancellor Brogan and the rest of PASSHE board of governors decided it was more imperative for them to get a good nights sleep rather than to negotiate with the APSCUF and prevent the strike from happening.

I thought it was the goal of an organization such as the PASSHE to help educate the people of Pennsylvania (and outsiders like me). But all they seem to want to do is prolong their negotiations and bargaining and prevent the students from the education they are paying for and deserve. The PASSHE hashtag is #infiniteopportunities. As far as I’m concerned they are not allowing for any opportunities. If they can’t give the educators what they deserve, how are they supposed to give the students the education we deserve?

It is my hope that Chancellor Brogan is able to come to negotiate with our educators so we can all get back to the classroom. Mr. Brogan, you cannot put students first if you put the educators last. When the PASSHE starts treating higher education as a priority rather than a profit, we will be able to move forward.

 

To the faculty who have boldly and proudly taken a stand against PASSHE:

Thank you for all you do on a daily basis for not only myself but all 100,000 students throughout all 14 universities. I stand in solidarity with my professors and all educators here at Cal U and all educators throughout the PASSHE. I am #withAPSCUF. Please continue to fight for what you truly deserve. Myself and many other students at PASSHE universities will continue to stand and fight with you.

 

As I sit here in my apartment with clothing to wear, a functioning bathroom, electricity, clean running water, a refrigerator full of food, and a bed to sleep in I remind myself how lucky I am. Over the past 4 days I have been reminded how fortunate I truly am.

Sunday evening, the town of Connellsville, the town that is the home to the school in which I work, was hit terribly by the storms that rolled through. Late Sunday evening, and early Monday morning Geibel went from a 2 hour school delay to being closed for the next few days due to the closing of Connellsville Area High School from the damage they received from the storms. Due to the damage at Connellsville, Geibel has been forced to remain closed until Tuesday, September 6th due to transportation issues to the private school. Much of Connellsville was affected by the flash flooding that occurred. Many homes and business were also severely damaged. Luckily Geibel didn’t have much flood damage, but they did have some damage due to the rain that fell. (Over 5″ of rain in the matter of 2 hours.)

The amount of destruction to this town is absolutely devastating. My heart aches greatly for those who endured such great losses due to this tragedy.  If you would like to make a donation of any kind to the community please contact me at annaduffrin@gmail.com and I can give you some more information on how you can help out this community.

Through this tragedy I have found myself very very thankful for things in my life that I normally take for granted.

I’m thankful that I have a place to rest my head at night.

I’m thankful for clean running water.

I’m thankful for electricity.

I’m thankful for a car to get me where I need to be.

I’m thankful my family is alive and well, and doesn’t often have to deal with tragedies such as this.

I’m thankful my athletes have survived and are healthy.

I’m thankful my school didn’t suffer much damage.

I’m thankful I have a place to go to work.

I’m thankful for the ability to serve a community in need and show them the love of Christ through my actions.

I’m thankful for all of the people in this community willing to raise funds and donate their time, talents, and abilities to help out those in need.

Please join me in lifting this community up in prayer through this time while they work to rebuild their homes, their town, and their lives.