That is the message to higher education from Randi Weingarten and Todd Wolfson, Presidents of AFT and AAUP, respectively, as we begin a new academic year.

“Across the country, our colleges and universities are under attack — from politicians seeking to control what we teach and research, from billionaires and corporations looking to profit from our institutions, and from decades of disinvestment that left students paying more and faculty and staff doing more with less.

But we are now powerless. We are not standing still.”

While the typical growing pains of a new semester are ever-present – meeting our new students, establishing office hours, battling for the copy machine – threats against academic right and free speech on campuses are coming from the highest levels of elected office. In spite of those attacks on our most foundational educational ideals, WE members of faculty and staff, in conjunction with our union brothers and sisters, have steadfastly stayed the course to fight. That determination and unflinching pursuit of what’s right and just have earned us some hard-fought victories.

Since last September, AFT and AAUP have:

• Protected funding of scientific research
• Fought for the protection of student aid programs, like Pell Grant and TRIO
• Stood up for immigrant students, workers, and their families nationwide

That work and dedication will only continue louder and with more force because the system works. When we are united, we are are unstoppable and we will always win.

For the full comments from Weingarten and Wolfson, click here.