Some things to know, some things to do, some dates to save:

1. THURSDAY, MARCH 20 - MSP hopes you will participate in a statewide call-in day to the Governor. Every year, hundreds of Massachusetts students are denied resident tuition rates at public colleges because of their immigration status – even if they have gone to Massachusetts schools their whole life, even if they are honor students. This is unfair and prevents many of them from attending college. Governor Patrick has expressed support for a change but has not taken action yet. Please call the Governor’s Office at 617-725-4005 or 1-888-870-7770 (in-state).

• I am calling to thank Governor Patrick for his commitment to Education Parity for immigrant students in Massachusetts.

• I believe all high school students in our Commonwealth should be able to have the same access to in-state tuition rates as their peers.

• I ask the Governor to take action NOW to ensure that students graduating this year will be able to pursue their dreams of higher education in the fall.

2. April 16^th will be this year’s big Rally and Lobby Day on behalf of public higher education. Sponsored by PHENOM (www.phenomonline.org), this day will see hundreds of people from around the state bringing thousands of post cards to legislators. MSP will join faculty, staff and students from all parts of Massachusetts in advocating for increased funding for our operating budgets, for need-based financial aid, and for capital projects. The campus administration is paying for buses and is encouraging broad participation. Here are 3 ways you can contribute to the success of this effort:

• Email MSP member Paulina Borrego at pborrego@library.umass.edu to reserve a seat on the bus and a lunch.
• Mention this in your class, or better yet, bring your whole class.
• Be clear with your students that nobody will be penalized in any way for not being in class that day.
• Call MSP at 545-2206 for more information.

3. The very next day, April 17 at 12 Noon, is MSP’s Spring Membership Lunch in the Campus Center Amherst Room (10^th Floor). We will have a detailed update on bargaining, a discussion about possible actions to take to get a good contract, and of course a chance to chat with colleagues you haven’t seen in a while. Please RSVP no later than April 10^th to reserve a lunch.

4. Threats of Violence on Campus. MSP has heard numerous concerns about the threats on campus and is pushing to get more detailed information about the threats and about what steps the administration is taking to address them. We also remain concerned about the recent racial incident on campus and are deeply concerned about justice around the case. I have signed a letter on behalf of Jason Vessell and would refer you to http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/justiceforjason/ for more information.

Max Page, President