The United Academics Executive Council passed the following policy today. Among other things, we will be creating a legal defense fund to assist members for their family members who are targets of unlawful or suspect conduct by the federal government. If you are interested in being on a committee to help formulate policy and administer the fund, please email [email protected].
UA Sanctuary Policy Regarding Non-citizen & Naturalized Workers
Whereas, United Academics (UA) recognizes that non-citizen and naturalized faculty members are indispensable to the scholarly mission of the University of Oregon and vital to maintaining a thriving campus culture; and
Whereas, the current U.S. federal administration, through its speech and conduct, promotes xenophobia against migrant workers and non-citizen faculty and increasingly seeks to impose the harshest immigration-law and extra-legal sanctions against these workers, with impunity and without due process; and
Whereas, through such abuse of legal and extra-legal processes, the federal administration seeks to punish speech it disfavors and suppress academic freedom in institutions of higher learning; and
Whereas, these attacks on fundamental civil liberties and basic decency pose a danger to workers everywhere, and to basic American freedoms long cherished by citizens and non-citizens alike, which are guaranteed by the United States Constitution; and
Whereas, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents are now arresting and detaining non-citizen workers on the flimsiest of pretexts, with no regard for how long they've lived in the U.S, how dependent their families are upon them, the ties they have with their communities, or how critical they are to the missions of the institutions and organizations where they work; and
Whereas, it is the duty of unions to defend our fellow workers against oppression, xenophobic attacks, and targeted violations of civil and human rights; and
Whereas, UA is committed to ensuring that our Union is a safe and welcoming place for everyone we represent, regardless of their immigration status; and
Whereas, many cities, such as Portland, have declared themselves Sanctuary Cities, and universities and schools such as the University of Oregon, Portland State University, and Portland Public Schools, Sanctuary Campuses, where officials have vowed not to volunteer the immigration status of their residents, workers, or students, nor to cooperate with ICE.
Therefore, be it resolved that UA:
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Declares itself a "Sanctuary Union" that will take measures to protect the rights and safety of all the employees we represent and their families, regardless of their immigration status or national origin; and
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Will not voluntarily cooperate with federal agents in the arrest, prosecution, or attempted deportation of represented employees or their family members; and
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Through its leadership, will push for the adoption of university policies and practices that strengthen workplace protections for the non-citizen employees we represent and their family members; and
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Commits to facilitate trainings to (a) inform faculty and other workers of their legal rights with respect to ICE investigations, detentions, and proceedings, and (b) educate faculty and other workers on best practices to lawfully resist unlawful actions by ICE and its agents; and
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Commits to creating a legal defense fund for the purpose of assisting represented employees or their family members who are targets of unlawful or suspect enforcement conduct by ICE or U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
International Caucus Tomorrow!
Join us tomorrow, Tuesday, April 22, for the Spring Term International Faculty Caucus. We will be meeting at Bartolotti's Pizza Bistro in the EMU from 4-6:00PM. Come for the whole meetup or drop by to say hello. Light refreshments will be provided. Come see us!
2025 Executive Council Election Results
Following the UAUO Constitution and Bylaws, the election for Executive Council is now closed. A hearty thanks to the Elections Committee, and all the faculty who have volunteered to serve your union.
President: Kathryn Mills
Secretary: Chris Sinclair
VP for TTF Affairs: David Luebke
VP for NTTF Research Affairs: Christina Karns
Chair of Organizing and Membership Committee: Edward Davis
There are openings to serve in the Representative Assembly. Please contact the Chair of the Representative Assembly Kathleen Freeman at [email protected] or Organizing Director Heather Wolford at [email protected] for additional information.