SIS does make a difference

Despite the recent editorial in The Pitt News, Students in… SIS does make a difference

Despite the recent editorial in The Pitt News, Students in Solidarity is very proud of what it has accomplished for progressive social change on this campus.

We were part of a successful campaign to force our food service provider, Sodexho Marriott, to divest its interests in private prisons, student pressure was cited as the major reason for this action. Our work on the Living Wage is the reason that many workers in the Cathedral Cafe received substantial raises in their wages. Our work on same-sex benefits is the reason that SEIU is likely to include this issue in their demands in the upcoming contract fight, which is the first time that has happened on this campus.

The Pitt News claims all we do is protest. This is also incorrect. The assertion that we threw pretzels at President Bush is simply a lie. They know full well that we have sponsored no less than four informational forums on the issues of living wage and same-sex benefits over the past two semesters in which a wide range of experts on these issues spoke, as well as publishing a bi-weekly newsletter. We have also collected the signatures of 10 percent of this campus and presented it to the administration through meetings.

They next assert “no one is listening.” On the contrary, our last action was featured prominently on FOX 53 and Channel 11 as well as the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This was the first major alliance between workers and students on this campus. The Pitt News claims to find our issues “admirable” but claims that to be “respectable” we must stop protesting. They should heed the words of Frederick Douglass, who said, “Those who claim to favor freedom yet disparage agitation, are those who want crops without plowing the fields, they want rain without thunder and lightning, they want the ocean without the roar of its mighty waters.”

Sean Rowley

Co-Chair, Students in Solidarity

SIS efforts should be praised

In response to the Nov. 1 editorial, “SIS members need new methods,” I am particularly interested in the prescription offered for a more effective student organization.

“Members should make appointments to meet with administrators personally rather than mocking their effigies in the street.” Now, if anyone had researched the past tactics of organizations like SIS, they would find out that many student groups request meetings with administration frequently and are turned down. A huge sustainer of many student problems is that administrators are purposefully inaccessible, no matter the level of demonstrated student support.

“They should organize public forums with more information than can fit on a flier.” Beauty idea! When was the last time that people who consistently criticize such efforts came to one of the many public forums, teach-ins or lectures sponsored by student groups any night of the week? If apathy is such a beast on this campus, would people be so kind as to not discourage those groups that actually do take on difficult issues, such as tuition increases or civil rights!

And, my favorite – “They should run for Student Government Board.” When is the last time that SGB achieved a significant goal that improved students’ circumstances? Other groups have been the ones to spearhead successful campaigns. As a bureaucracy, SGB is not the typical vehicle for taking direct action or petitioning administration. Student groups that do get the job done are hard to come by – the least we can do is support their successes.

Andrea DeChellis

SGB member