The proposed tax plan includes a $1.5 trillion corporate tax cut and a giant tax hike on graduate students. The bill would double or even triple many students’ taxes, making graduate school an unaffordable proposition except for those already independently wealthy. This will have significant impacts on minority and historically oppressed communities significantly impacting inclusion and diversity at the graduate level.
There will be a nationwide rally/walkout on Wednesday, Nov 29 at 1pm EST/ 10am PST to support higher education and show how vital graduate students are to society. Graduate students are the bedrock of innovation and research in this country. We are vital for the structure and function of higher education in the United States. Without us, universities wouldn't have enough instructors for their college courses, human resources for their research, and support for mentoring and the many other roles that graduate students play to maintain a high quality university.
We know how busy grad students are so we have two asks. 1) Come on out and support in person if you can, we will be having a call in where we call our representatives in a show of solidarity. If you CAN'T MAKE IT IN PERSON? Have no fear! 2) Call your local officials from wherever you are at 1pm and share with us that you stand with us by using the hashtag - #UMGradTaxWalkout