As the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act continues in conference to resolve the House and Senate versions of the bill, I have heard from many of you asking what the university is doing to voice concerns to lawmakers, and also about what you can do.
During this whole period, and continuing now, the University of Michigan has reached out to elected representatives to provide information about the impact that this bill would have on graduate students. We are doing this through higher-education associations in Washington, D.C. (like the Association of American Universities), and through our Washington government relations office. We have also engaged with the Michigan Congressional delegation. In terms of advocacy, I draw your attention to President Schlissel’s recent article in the Detroit News, as well as another article that appeared about a speech he gave in West Michigan.
This is a time during which both U-M and graduate students can continue to engage with elected representatives. To that effect, I would like to call your attention to an event being organized by Students of Color of Rackham with the support of Rackham tomorrow, Friday, December 8, from 1:00 to 2:30 in the Earl Lewis Room of the Rackham Building. We will have laptops on hand to help you identify your representatives and to call or email them. If you are unable to attend this event, I encourage you to visit this site from the American Council on Education, where you can find information on contacting the appropriate representatives in Congress.
U-M and Rackham will continue to do all we can to ensure that lawmakers are aware of the potential effects of this legislation on graduate students, and we will provide updates as they become available.
Sincerely,
Mike Solomon
Interim Dean