The Student Government Association passed a sense of the senate last week, an official statement of the SGA’s position in response to the uprising of janitors in Boston.
“It is the sense of the senate that the Student Government Association states its official support of the SEIU [Service Employees International Union] janitors in their contract negotiations and strike,” the statement read.
The proposal was brought to the floor by Barrett Dillow, senator from the College of Engineering. A week previous to the passing vote, Dillow called for a statement to be released on behalf of students on campus. In order for the official vote to take place, Dillow was asked by SGA President Richard Schwabacher to draw up the document for consideration.
Ed Klotzbier, director of University Communications, attended the meeting last Thursday to clarify any misunderstandings among students before the sense of the senate was voted on.
“The reason I met with SGA was to provide them with information and address concerns and hopefully to stop any misinformation and miscommunication,” Klotzbier said.
“I thought it went really well and hopefully the message was conveyed and understood.”
Last Thursday, at the weekly senate meeting, attendees passed the sense of the senate, which also asked for Northeastern University’s President Richard Freeland to “issue a statement on behalf of the university in support of the SEIU janitors.”
Klotzbier said President Freeland has stood by a statement which he has presented to students, faculty and the media.
In an article in the October 2 Northeastern News, Freeland said, “Northeastern has been supportive of the collective bargaining process between the union representing local janitors and the association representing area maintenance companies, including the janitors and contractor that service our buildings. I agree with Northeastern students and faculty in urging a speedy resolution to this matter that is fair and satisfactory.”
Freeland encourages students to participate with on-campus and community issues, Klotzbier said. According to Klotzbier, the university prides itself on the real world experience which includes community issues.
“That’s what is great about a city like Boston and an urban campus like Northeastern,” he said.
Once signed by Freeland, the sense of the senate will act as a voice for the students in “support of the SEIU janitors in their contract negotiations.”
“It’s seen as a leadership role for this university, for students [the janitor contract negotiations have] been something to be passionate about,” said SGA Vice President for Student Activities, Michael Romano.
