RISD EFS 12:44 PM
To the RISD Community,
The Experimental & Foundations Studies Division is built upon the expression of individual voices in chorus with each other. It is extremely important to address the current strike situation; however, it is impossible to speak on behalf of such a large portion of the community with one statement. We feel it is appropriate to have everyone's thoughts expressed equally.
The following is a list of statements from EFS Faculty and Staff:
Perhaps it's a coincidence that most of the art world is fueled by amounts of money that all of the people on strike at RISD could never afford. Of course, I support the strikers.
-Lee Dejasu, EFS
Paying a liveable wage is an ethical thing to do. A living wage means more than just barely getting by in today's economic climate. I support the current strike.
- Traci Vaspol, EFS
The RISD community overwhelmingly supports the custodians, groundskeepers, and movers' proposed contract for fair pay. The Administration's response does not represent Social Equity and Inclusion. It is corporate Social Exclusion and Inequity.
-Kyna Leski, Architecture/EFS
The RISD community as well as the Providence community and beyond support our workers' modest demands to receive a wage increase to meet a salary upon which they can live. Our workers went above their required duties during Covid with no added compensation. Rather than continuing negotiations, I believe the Administration should immediately meet or exceed their request for a livable wage. This is in accord with RISD's Mission Statement, and not to honor it throws a bad light on RISD's national and international reputation. I appreciate the dedicated long-term work of the custodians, janitors and groundskeepers in maintaining our community and fully support them in receiving just compensation. I also support the students in showing their recognition of what is the right action to take.
-Elinore Hollinshead, EFS
This is a moment to signal the value of essential labor, to support some of our most precarious workers, and to stand for the human right to a livable wage. I support students to continue to participate in this action- to continue to demonstrate a commitment to social equity- until a fair contract is secured.
-Lu Heintz, EFS
We tend to not notice the constant manual labor of the custodians and janitors because they do it so well. Their essential work in the seamless 24/7 operation of the School should not be taken for granted. They should be compensated accordingly.
-Todd Moore, EFS
For 146 years we have espoused ourselves as leaders, revolutionaries, and critical thinkers with an eye for creating a better society; today RISD has an opportunity to uphold that reputation through fair compensation of the custodians, groundskeepers, and movers. I support the Teamsters.
-Nick Ventola, EFS
RISD's written statement of Values is excerpted here: "We value a classroom, studio and campus environment that advances principles of social equity and inclusion, environmental and climate justice, and equal access to resources and opportunities.
We value the development of lifelong skills that integrate the physical, emotional and mental well- being of our entire community."
With respect for the essential work of our custodians, groundskeepers and movers, and in overwhelming support for their right to a livable wage, it is difficult to align the Administration's response to their request with RISD's Mission and Values, and with our teaching and learning goals.
-Leslie Hirst, EFS
RISD's stated goals of social equity and inclusion need to be matched by increasing the wages of employees who have contributed so much to RISD, especially through the increased cleaning protocols through the Covid pandemic. I support the workers and the students who are standing in solidarity with them.
-Carol Lasch, EFS
The groundskeepers, custodial staff, and movers at RISD are imperative to the safety of workspaces at RISD and the maintenance of operations. They keep us safe, and they are invaluable. I support their demands for a living wage and support the students who stand with them.
-Mimi Cabell, EFS
Decades of administrative expansion and rising administrative salaries have come at the expense of essential workers, including the striking custodians, groundskeepers, and movers (as well as the part-time faculty). I fully support the strike. This would be a good moment for an announcement by leadership of a serious audit of administrative bloat at RISD.
-Daniel Lefcourt, EFS
Too much talk on social equity and inclusion from the Administration, yet little action and insight to support the many who work hard to maintain our campus and environment. I support their demands for a living wage and the Administration should take this opportunity to act and
compensate accordingly.
-Pamela Unwin-Barkley, EFS
In the words of Martin Luther King Jr., “All labour has dignity." Custodians, groundskeepers, movers, and all essential employees are the backbone of RISD. I stand in solidarity with the workers who keep this institution alive and their request for a fair, liveable, and dignified wage.
-Bláithín Haddad, EFS
The Custodial Staff, Groundskeepers, and Movers keep RISD running smoothly throughout all times- COVID and weather included. They deserve a true living wage and more. I support their demands, and I support the students who stand in solidarity with them.
-Gwen Strahle, EFS
A fair pay/ livable wage should be accessible to all the custodians, groundskeepers and janitors who keep the campus function. I support the RISD community to continue the current strike.
-Tsai-Ling Tseng, EFS
The groundskeepers, movers, and custodial staff are essential members of the RISD community. They deserve a living wage. I support their strike and support the students who stand with them.
-Ming Ying Hong, EFS
No form of labor is more important than another. The Custodians, Groundskeepers, and Movers deserve a fair and living wage for the important work that they perform. I stand with other faculty, staff, and students in support of these workers' efforts to win that living wage.
-Leah Beeferman, EFS/D+M
Today I overheard three men talking about the strike at the barber shop with my son. The conversation went on for a while, before I joined. One of the barbers shook his head in disappointment as he described what RISD meant to him, he had attended pre-college on a scholarship by winning a drawing competition at his high school. He said "I honked my horn for the workers. I remember going into those buildings every day. Every day I would show up for class. I loved it. RISD is known everywhere. What are they thinking? Without those workers, nothing else can happen there."
I thought about what my 13 year old son was learning sitting in the middle of this conversation sprung from shared values held by ostensibly "different" people. I understood differently the impact of the strike and the Administration's failure to value all employees by agreeing to fair and just compensation, on what RISD represents in our local community. I fully support the custodians, groundskeepers and movers in their demands for a living wage. I value what our students are learning about equity and standing in their own values through participation in the continued actions.
-Emma Hogarth, EFS
The groundskeepers, custodial staff, and movers at RISD are imperative to the safety of workspaces at RISD and the maintenance of operations. They keep us safe, and they are invaluable. I support their demands for a living wage and support the students who stand with them.
-Rachel.R, EFS
I have heard that RISD needs to increase the salaries of administrators in order to ensure that high-quality candidates are attracted to the school and will stay. Why shouldn't this apply to these workers who are an integral part of our community? Perhaps one or two administrator positions might be consolidated, and thus the money found to meet the demands of these critical workers.
-Martie Holmer, EFS
I wholeheartedly support the groundskeepers, custodial staff, and movers at RISD, and I support the students who support them. The act of striking takes tremendous courage. It puts words into action, ideology into practice. Administrations of all kinds-universities, museums, governments -have much to learn about what this truly means: aligning one's words with one's actions.
-Julia Rooney, EFS
I fully support the RISD custodial staff, movers, and grounds keepers receiving a livable wage. These individuals play a crucial role in maintaining the safety and functionality of our communities. They deserve fair compensation for their efforts. Furthermore, I commend the students who are using their voices to advocate for the well-being of these workers and the broader community. This moment is an opportunity to reflect on all of the changes that need to be made here for the betterment of our community. I hope we can meet all the challenges that demand transformation with the same energy and determination.
-Michael J. Demps, EFS
I am wholeheartedly in support of our school finding a way to pay our movers, custodial staff, and groundskeepers a livable wage. I also condemn the blatant misogynoir/racism that came with the criticism of our president during what could have been a pure moment of solidarity. I look forward to the healing process the RISD community will have to undergo after these needs are met. It's important to consider that this process will require the same amount of grace that each of us expects when we are called upon to make transformations of our own.
-Spencer E. Evans, EFS
Our custodial staff, groundskeepers and movers are vital to the healthy functioning of our RISD community and campus. Their essential contributions to the college are being taken for granted, a signal to arrive now at a fair and transparent resolution. I stand in solidarity with their demands for a living wage and offer my full support to students who stand with them.
-Haley MacKeil, EFS
How did we get to this point? How dare we let it get to this point. It's so obvious that this is unjust. So obvious that the inequalities in this country are so clearly reflected in this institution. That in itself is exhausting. To let it come to this place and cause another crisis is frustrating and hurtful-it feels insensitive.
-Kai Franz, EFS
Transparency (regarding contract negotiations, administrative wages, scholarships, and a long etcetera) is needed to be able to move forward as a 'caring' community. Too much said about equity, inclusion, care, diversity and a long list of fancy terminology, and too little being done to embody the rhetoric. Struggle is necessary to make visible and for social and self-transformation; I fully support the protests as an opportunity for change. Thank you to my comrades from the custodial staff, movers, and grounds keepers-and also to the students who have mobilized their minds and bodies to support them. As usual, it is the most marginal who have to do the work. Let's make sure that this labor is not in vain.
In solidarity,
-Adela Goldbard, EFS
I am in full support of the movers,groundskeepers and custodians in their request for a livable wage. It is the right thing to do.
-Alfredo Gisholt, EFS
I support a living wage for RISD's movers, groundskeepers and custodians. It's shameful that it has come to this. RISD needs to live up to its talk about people being seen and heard. These workers have more than earned this - treating them with appreciation and respect only makes RISD a better place for us all.
-Eleanor Lazarek, EFS
All RISD employees deserve to make a Living Wage. The damage to the RISD brand from this event is immeasurable
-Mickey Ackerman, EFS
It's absolutely important to acknowledge the essential work that the custodial maintenance and groundskeeping staff do for RISD. Without their tireless efforts, the college simply could not function. It's crucial that they receive fair compensation for their contributions to the RISD community.
-Michael DeLucia, EFS
EFS faculty, students and staff deeply appreciate RISD's movers, groundskeepers and custodians. We will find ways to show this day to day even after the conclusion of the strike. I fully support a positive settlement to the strike as well as positive movement forward once an agreement is reached.
-Joanne Stryker, EFS
I support the custodial staff, groundskeepers, and movers who tirelessly work to keep RISD a safe place for our students, staff and faculty. I recognize and am grateful for the work that they do and would like to advocate for a fair and livable wage so that in return, they are able to take care of themselves and their loved ones who depend on them.
-Cheeny Celebrado-Royer, EFS
I support the custodial staff, groundskeepers, and movers. They deserve more than a living wage, they deserve a fair wage. I recognize their work and their contribution to our community. I urge the administration to do the right thing. I stand alongside other faculty and staff in protest. I applaud our students for making their voices heard in support of the RISD's essential workers.
-Clement Valla, EFS
No form of labor is more important or deserving of a living wage than another, it is a human right. I support the custodial staff, groundskeepers, and movers who tirelessly work to keep RISD a safe place for our students, staff and faculty. I recognize and am grateful for the work that they do and would like to advocate for a fair and livable wage so that in return, they are able to take care of themselves and their loved ones who depend on them.
-Cheeny Celebrado-Royer, EFS
I support the custodial staff, groundskeepers, and movers. They deserve more than a living wage, they deserve a fair wage. I recognize their work and their contribution to our community. I urge the administration to do the right thing. I stand alongside other faculty and staff in protest. I applaud our students for making their voices heard in support of the RISD's essential workers.
-Clement Valla, EFS
No form of labor is more important or deserving of a living wage than another, it is a human right. I support the custodial staff, groundskeepers and movers in their fight for this right and commend the student support throughout the strike.
-Simcha Davis / EFS