Board of Trustees discuss impending university concerns

NORMAL, Ill. — The Illinois State University Board of Trustees meeting on Friday saw topics of a possible faculty strike, justice for Palestine and growing concerns about immigrant student safety.

Ashley Farmer is a criminal justice professor and a member of United Faculty of Illinois State University. She has been serving as the lead negotiator for the UFISU bargaining team.

Farmer stated the union’s message for trustees was simple: the union needs a fair contract immediately.

“I am not just here to tell you this— I’m going to show you.” Farmer said.

Farmer pulled out a stack of papers, placing them at the top of podium and held up a sign, which has been seen on many faculty office doors. The sign reads, “I am ready to strike for a fair contract.”

“This stack represents the tenure and tenure-track faculty who are willing to do whatever it takes to get a fair contract,” Farmer said. “Everyone in this stack, a militant majority has committed to vote to authorize a strike, withhold their labor during a strike and walk a picket line should we fail to reach an agreement in a timely manner.”

Media Relations Director Chris Coplan spoke about the ongoing negotiations.

“The university remains committed to continue good-faith negotiations that hope to reach a contract agreement,” Coplan said.

Adding to ongoing student frustrations, the board approved a 5% increase in the cost of room and board fees for students in the next academic year. Along with approvals for more capital to be added to ongoing construction projects throughout the university.

Many students from the Students for Justice in Palestine organization spoke about the ongoing frustrations with ISU administration’s lack of divestment with companies believed to side with Israel in the Israel-Hamas war.

SJP-ISU President Aya Hussein criticized the board’s decision to only allow for 30 minutes for public comment. Hussein stated that community members are not given enough time to voice their grievances to the university.

“How long until the very students you welcome as a part of your diversity can feel as though they truly belong,” Hussein said.

The public comments section of the meeting, ending with senior ISU student, Anthony Zárate-Espinoza.

Espinoza voiced concerns about ISU’s approach to updated polices provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

“We should not be scared of having our safe places be threatened when we have worked and fought so hard for them. It would be a dishonor and disgrace to lose them now.” Espinoza said.

In addition, many audience members were seen leaving the meeting after all the public comments had been made.

Many in the crowd chanted “No hate, no fear, immigrants are welcome here” after Espinoza spoke.