Category: Rapid Response

Virtual and in person rapid response actions that you can take part in right away!

Stand for Education and Against the Federal Higher Education Compact

Post author By efox
Post date October 9, 2025

Dear UUP activists,

You have likely heard about the Federal administration’s offer of a “compact” with nine Research universities that would, if agreed to, effectively abolish academic freedom and institutional autonomy at those campuses. It is critical that our union join the chorus of Higher Ed voices speaking out against this proposal. See a message below from our national affiliate, the AFT, and click to sign on to a letter calling upon university leaders to reject this compact.

In solidarity,

Frederick E. Kowal, Ph.D.
President
United University Professions

Under the Trump compact, a successful childhood cancer research project could be cut off because the university allows trans athletes to play on a team. A lab focused on ensuring a clean water supply could be shut down because the university’s mission includes promoting diversity in the student body. A nursing school could lose critical funding because professors are teaching about women’s history.

This policy is a clumsy attempt at thought-policing that will have repercussions for all of society. It risks America’s world leadership in science, technology, innovation and healthcare, creating opportunities for our competitors and our enemies to take the lead. It sets us backward toward an era of less innovation, fewer cures for diseases and a shrinking economy.

Add your name to our public sign-on letter, and call on university leaders to reject this compact.

Add Your Name »

Read more about the implications of Trump’s so-called compact with colleges in Erwin Chemerinsky’s op-ed in the New York Times.

Read the AFT and the American Association of University Professors’ press release slamming the Trump administration’s ideological litmus test for higher education. 

Tags News, Online Actions, Political Action, Rapid Response

Rapid Response

Take Action to Keep International Students On Our Campuses!

Post author By efox
Post date September 11, 2025

The Trump Administration is proposing a rule to eliminate the Duration of Status (DS) for international students. This proposed rule, issued on August 28, 2025, replaces the current DS period with a system that admits international students to a stay no longer than four years barring an expensive and lengthy application for an extension.

The administration has already begun a brief 30-day comment period. We urge UUP members and higher ed advocates to submit comments to stress how this proposed rule would harm our students and institutions. The implementation of this rule would:

Restrict the number of international students attending SUNY campuses and campuses across the United States by curtailing the amount of time students could take to complete academic programs; the rule would likely deter many students from seeking higher education in the US at all.
Have a detrimental effect on graduate programs since the median time to complete a Ph.D. for all students in the US is 5.7 years. Many graduate programs would risk losing all of their international students.
Reduce human and intellectual capital across the country. Many international students seek to stay in the US and work legally after their studies are complete; US companies would lose access to their skill and talent.
Be unnecessary. International student visa holders are already the most closely monitored group of nonimmigrants in the US.

Please COMMENT HERE on the damage that this rule change would inflict!

Comment here »

Tags Action Items, International Students, Rapid Response

Rapid Response

Phonebank to Protect Science Funding – Sept. 5th

Post author By Jessie
Post date September 2, 2025

Dear UUP Rapid Responders,

Join our fellow higher ed unionists as we demand that Congress preserve funding for scientific research in the upcoming Federal budget. See all of the details below!

Register to join a national phonebank to protect science funding on September 5th!

We have had major successes fighting back against the federal government’s attacks on science and higher education together with academic workers across the country. But our fight is not over. The Trump Administration has proposed devastating cuts to NIH funding, and we have a critical window in which to act before the 2026 federal budget gets approved.

In order to prevent any cuts to scientific research, we are continuing to leverage the nationwide movement we’ve built to pressure officials in both political parties. Our ability to win more depends on showing our elected officials that we are all united in the fight to save science. The more of us who participate, the stronger our message will be.

On September 5, at 12pm PT/3pm ET, higher ed workers across the country will call representatives in Congress to demand NO CUTS to science funding in the federal budget. Fill out this form to join the phonebank.

In Solidarity,

Andrew Little

President, UAW 4100

Tags Events, Rapid Response

Rapid Response

4/1 – UUP Rapid Response

Post author By Jessie
Post date April 1, 2025

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, UUP will join the Hands Off! National Day of Action to stand up for democracy, workers, our rights, and our future.

If you are a UUP Delegate, there will be an opportunity to attend the rally right in Albany! More info will be provided. If you are not a Delegate and would like to join us, we look forward to seeing you there as well! More information on the events in Albany and around the state can be found below.

In Albany?

Join the 11 AM – 1 PM rally

Rally location? West Capitol Park (West Capitol Park, State 85, S Swan St, Albany, NY 12210)

Planning to drive in?
Here are parking options near West Capitol Park:

Empire State Plaza Visitor Garage: Closest & only $5 flat fee. Get there early — it fills up fast.
The Egg Garage: Across the street, around $15.
Elk Street Garage: 10-minute walk, about $10.
Madison Ave Garage: 7–10 min walk, likely free (or $10 if classified as an event).
East Parking Garage / Albany Capital Center / Grand Street Lot: All 8–15 min walks, $8–$10 or free, depending on location.

Not in Albany?

Find an event near you by clicking HERE.

There is a local rally happening in Oneonta from 12-2pm!

You can find more information and RSVP at the link below:

More Info & RSVP HERE »