Striking is up to students

Temple University Graduate

Students’ Association has been encouraging undergraduate students to support their strike by missing class and picketing at the Bell Tower every day at noon and by participating in a campus-wide student walkout on Feb. 15.

Temple hasn’t met TUGSA’s demands and revoked health benefits and tuition remission from striking union members. Tensions are rising on campus, along with pressure to picket.

However, Provost Gregory Mandel has warned students that skipping class and assignments or joining the walkout to support TUGSA can jeopardize their academic progress.

The Editorial Board urges undergraduate students to participate in the graduate workers’ strike, including missing classes and assignments and walking out, if they feel passionate about TUGSA’s stance. At the same time, students shouldn’t feel pressured to boycott classes and assignments if they are not comfortable potentially impacting their education because there are other ways to show support.

Students should make their own decision about how to support TUGSA, and it’s okay if it doesn’t involve missing class to picket.

As tuition increased this academic year during a period of rising inflation, students may find it difficult to willingly miss out on an education they are paying thousands of dollars for.

Students valuing time in a classroom they paid to be in doesn’t equate to not standing with TUGSA. They can advocate for Temple to meet their contract demands without risking academic progress by picketing when they don’t have class.

STUDENT LIFE