Peace, Justice, and Faith at Penn State University
Almost of a week after Penn State’s graduate school held a town hall to address questions about graduate unionization at Penn State and reiterate the university’s stance, the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE), the group working to organize Penn State’s graduate assistants, got support from another community group: Religious leaders.
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State College Mayor Goreham, Legal Experts, Faith Leaders Call on Representative Thompson to Pass a Clean Dream Act
A recording of today’s call is available here.
State College, PA – On a press call today, State College, Pennsylvania Mayor Elizabeth Goreham joined legal experts and faith leaders to discuss why a legislative solution for Dreamers is so urgent for Pennsylvania and America and to call on Representative Glenn Thompson (PA-05) to pass the Dream Act. In Pennsylvania, there are nearly 6,000 DACA recipients whose futures and opportunities to fully contribute to their communities are threatened by President Trump’s decision to end the popular and successful DACA program. In Representative Thompson’s district alone, there are nearly 600 DACA-eligible residents.
This call comes as tens of thousands of Dreamers will lose DACA because of an arbitrary deadline created by the Trump administration for 154,000 Dreamers to renew their status. If Congress can’t pass the Dream Act, then it must be included in the bill that funds the government in December. A recording of today’s call is available here.
State College, PA Mayor Elizabeth Goreham , said, “DACA allows people who have been here since they were children, who have grown up as Americans, to develop their education, career and relationships freely. They bring much appreciated cultural and economic richness to our communities and the country. The Dream Act is a permanent solution, and as Mayor of the State College Borough, I support it fully.”
Shoba Sivaprasad Wadhia, Law professor and Director of the Center for Immigrants’ Rights Clinic at Penn State Law* , said, “The Dream Act is a bipartisan solution, a permanent solution and the only solution. Passing a clean Dream Act will allow Pennsylvania Dreamers to continue with their education and build their lives. The Dream Act also benefits universities as it allows young people to also contribute to the overall academic experience here on campus. Based on years of experience, I have come to recognize the value of having students who bring a variety of perspectives and life experiences into the academic community. Without a Dream Act, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and its citizens will be deprived of these very real benefits.”
*Please note that Wadhia’s affiliation is listed for informational purposes only and that she will be speaking in her individual capacity and not on behalf of the university
Reverend Ben Wideman, 3rd Way Collective Campus Pastor at Penn State University , said,
“My experience as a pastor who works with young adults reminds me of how challenging it is to be a college student right now. We are watching a generation burdened with increasing debt loads, mental health burdens, and economic pressures to find employment. Adding the fear of racially targeted marginalization only compounds the importance of maintaining what DACA offers to so many young people, enabling them to pursue their dreams and to enhance a vocation without the fear of being torn away from what they know.”
Vigil held for Las Vegas shooting victims
To watch the video clip from WTAJ, please visit this website.
Penn State student Brian Davis leads students across campus.
“When we share our experiences, what we’ve gone through as a male, as a Muslim or whatever it allows a context where people can relate to one another,” Davis said
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Paul-Robeson Cultural Center hosted a march for the International Day of Peace from the Hub around Old Main on Thursday, Sept. 21, 2017.
To read the article and see photos, please visit this page.
“Many Penn State students have been collecting donations for all the hurricanes hitting the country, but one group of friends is making its way down to Houston, Texas to bring relief first-hand to the survivors of Hurricane Harvey.”
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Penn State student organizations are teaming up to aid in disaster relief efforts in response to Hurricane Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that left severe flooding in the Houston metropolitan area. Penn State’s chapter of UNICEF, Penn State Black Graduate Student Association, Penn State Eco Action, 3rd Way Collective, Penn State’s chapter of the NAACP, and the Asian-Pacific American Caucus are some of the many organizations that have come together to help those in need.
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State College, Centre County, Pa. – The theme of this year’s LION bash is ‘living in one neighborhood’ and it’s all meant to show what the community offers to maintain the quality of life and safety.
This is the fourth year that the Borough of State College will bring both of its largest communities together at one big block party.
“We wanna make it easier for students and permanent residents to live together and familiarize themselves with each other,” Off-Campus Student Union Member Anna Livingston said.
To watch the video clip and read the article, please visit this site.
Penn State Professor Matt Jordan leads a panel of experts in a discussion about gun violence issues as addressed in the documentary film The Armor of Light.
To watch the video footage, please visit this website.
We live in a community with strong seasonal patterns that have nothing to do with weather. The seasons of this big university plopped down in the middle of the State College area defines much of what the patterns of life are like for all of us. Starting and finishing, coming and going are familiar movements. Those of us who work with students know there is a bittersweet quality to this time known as graduation.
Below are reflections from a few of the many preparing to experience a big change in their lives.
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