Brendan McGovern – Binghamton Chapter President

Over the past few weeks, we’ve watched something deeply troubling unfold right here at Binghamton University. At least five of our international student’s have had their visas revoked – some without warning, others mid-semester, with no clear explanation. These students weren’t accused of wrongdoing. Their only “offense” appears to be their status as international students in a political climate growing increasingly hostile to immigrants, public education, and the freedom to think critically.

Make no mistake – this isn’t isolated. It’s part of a broader pattern. A growing number of students across SUNY and the country are facing similar actions. And while five students may not sound like many, the chilling effect on campus is real. International students are afraid. They are asking questions their advisors can’t answer. Faculty are wondering what to say – and more importantly, what not to say – lest they draw the wrong kind of attention.

Read the rest of Brendan’s statement here.

Read the joint statement from UUP, PSC/CUNY, and NYSUT calling on SUNY and CUNY chancellors to defend our students, protect our campuses, and resist every attempt to dismantle the freedoms that make higher education a public good.

Click here to read the full resolution.

Resolved: that the Binghamton chapter of United University Professions endorses the call for an immediate and lasting ceasefire;

Resolved: that the Binghamton chapter of United University Professions rejects as infringements of our members’ political rights and workers’ rights any sanctioning, harassment, or censorship resulting from the expression of views, organizing teach-ins or debates, participating in demonstrations, as well as the climate of fear that results in self-censorship, is antithetical to academic freedom, and harms members by closing intellectual opportunities and conversations that are critical to student learning;

Resolved: that the Binghamton chapter of United University Professions demands that the University administration uphold our basic rights as workers and members of this community by publicly committing to free speech, academic freedom, and the right in particular to express and advocate for solidarity with Palestinians, as the group that in this instance and at this moment is facing atrocity and mass death in an illegal act of collective punishment that threatens rapidly to become even deadlier.