This decision to close its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion offices and discontinue the DEI 2.0 Strategic Plan should concern not just University of Michigan students, faculty, and alumni, but anyone who values higher education, diversity, and academic freedom. Here’s why:  1. It Sets a Dangerous Precedent – If a leading public university like Michigan backs down under federal pressure, other institutions may follow, leading to a nationwide rollback of DEI initiatives. This weakens higher education's ability to support historically marginalized groups. 2. It Empowers Authoritarian Tactics – By complying with political intimidation, Michigan signals that academic institutions can be bullied into abandoning their core values. This emboldens those who want to dismantle equity efforts, making it easier for future attacks on universities, faculty, and students. 3. It Hurts Students and Faculty – DEI programs provide crucial resources, mentorship, and protections for underrepresented students and faculty. Removing them makes campuses less inclusive and more hostile for many communities. 4. It Undermines Academic Freedom – Universities should be spaces for critical thought, debate, and progress. Allowing government overreach to dictate educational policy threatens the independence of institutions dedicated to truth and scholarship. 5. It Echoes Historical Patterns of Suppression – Historically, authoritarian regimes have targeted universities first, recognizing their role in shaping society and challenging oppressive ideologies. This decision mirrors past moments where institutions either resisted or enabled such takeovers. People should be paying attention because what happens at Michigan could happen elsewhere—and the consequences extend far beyond one campus.

This is an important cause because every person deserves a chance to go to college if they want to. Going to college allows people to get a higher education which can be very helpful to develop critical thinking skills, a deeper understanding of the world, and just overall being more informed. It also allows for better job opportunities, better earning potentials, and greater career success. Almost half of college students have to get jobs while in college which can add stress to these students because they have to juggle school and work. Over half of college students have to take out student loans and end up having debt after they graduate because they can't afford college on their own. With rising costs many people won't be able to afford a higher education if they want to but expanding Federal Pell Grants to account for inflation can help more students be able to afford college. This can potentially allow students to take out less student loans and students might not have to get jobs during college for them to afford to attend. It can potentially help students be less stressed and less worried about where they are going to find the money to afford college. Overall, expanding Federal Pell Grants to account for inflation can allow lower income students to attend college and get a higher education.

Without your support the forgotten women in beers beautiful and diverse history will remain forgotten. 

People should join this campaign because a nation is smart and thoughtful when its people are enlightened through a good world-class education.

Recess is a time for members of Congress to return to their home states. They should be using this week to meet with their constituents, give space for their concerns, and take that back to D.C. Instead, House Republican leaders are now reportedly telling their offices to avoid holding public events when they are home for March recess. Tim Burchett had scheduled a town hall for March 16, but canceled it citing concerns about "professional instigators" (The Hill). This is the opposite of the directions Democrats are receiving—with Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries encouraging all members to connect directly with constituents to talk about the Republican-backed attacks on key services like Social Security and Medicaid embodied by Elon Musk's actions and the Republican budget.  Tim Burchett was elected to represent us—he should not be hiding from his constituents. Period.  Add your name to the petition to demand that Tim Burchett host a town hall or public office hours during the congressional recess! 

Sign this petition and send a letter to your Congressional representatives urging them to take immediate action to protect our public schools.

While republicans may be receiving "marching orders" to avoid town halls, it is up to us, the people, to demand them and to ensure members of congress who support the current administration answer to their actions and the impact it will have on individuals and community alike.

We must shine a light on these bullying and strong-arm tactics and demand change. Our hospital, schools, transit and local attractions should be considered priorities by the Restaino administration. The fact that employees from these entities are afraid of retribution if they speak to the press, speaks volumes as to how Mayor Restaino conducts business.  WHY withhold funds from our schools in a time of economic crisis? WHY withhold funds from the only hospital located in our city? WHY withhold funds from the Underground Railroad Museum, which attracts thousands of tourists every year? The train station is already operating at a $130,000 annual deficit because the city has failed to properly utilize event space adjacent to the museum. WHY withhold funds from the NFTA when many of us rely on public transportation to get from home to work and back? Mayor Restaino's actions only make sense when viewed through the eyes of a greedy miser.

On February 25th, 2025,  the Woodburn School Board failed to pass Resolution 25-001, Reaffirming Safe and Welcoming Schools for All.”  We need community support to pressure elected officials to defend the safety of all students, especially students being affected by current federal immigration enforcement.  This is the first step to ensuring we have a strong and representative leadership in our schools. 

As part of the Project 2025 assault on basic and essential government functions, President Trump and Elon Musk are dismantling the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). With recent firings at NOAA announced, information that is a lifeline in a weather emergency event is at grave risk. And, the potential that they may eliminate free public access to weather forecasts, hurricane tracking, wildfire alerts, and more would not just decimate the nation's premier climate science agency, it would undermine public safety and put lives at risk. People in the United States have invested tax dollars in NOAA for generations. It belongs to us, not the Trump administration. Don't let President Trump and Elon Musk dismantle this life-saving agency, or require paywall access to NOAA data and make us pay again. Tell Congress to protect NOAA.

Renaming the Department of Special Education to the Department of Exceptional Student Education (ESE) is an important step toward fostering a more inclusive, respectful, and empowering environment for all students. The current term, “Special Education,” while functional, often carries outdated and limiting connotations, potentially focusing more on what students can’t do rather than highlighting their unique strengths and potential. Switching to the term Exceptional Student Education not only reflects the diverse abilities and potential of these students but also aligns with modern educational practices that emphasize inclusion, equality, and a positive outlook on diversity. This shift in language can change perceptions both within schools and throughout the community, leading to a more supportive environment where students are seen and treated as exceptional, not defined by their challenges. Supporting this change empowers students with disabilities to be seen for their abilities rather than their challenges. It gives students a sense of pride and encourages them to recognize their strengths. Renaming the department also reflects a deeper commitment to inclusive education and creating a community where all students are respected, valued, and have equal opportunities to succeed. This aligns with the principles of equity and diversity that many schools and organizations are working to strengthen. Furthermore, changing the language surrounding education can have a ripple effect on the entire community. If the department’s name is reframed, it could encourage positive perceptions of students with disabilities among teachers, parents, and the community at large, which can lead to greater understanding and support. As our understanding of education and disability evolves, so should our language. By advocating for this change, we are joining a larger movement toward a more forward-thinking educational approach. This is an opportunity to reshape the way we approach special education and position our students for success in an ever-changing world. When you join this campaign, you show others that advocating for meaningful changes—no matter how small they may seem—is crucial to building a better and more inclusive society. The more people who speak up, the stronger the message becomes that language matters and that all students deserve recognition for their exceptional abilities. Together, we have the power to create change. Your voice, whether you’re a parent, educator, student, or community member, contributes to an essential movement that aims to better serve and empower students. This is an opportunity to be a part of something bigger than just a name change—it’s about shifting the narrative for exceptional students and ensuring that they are recognized and celebrated for who they truly are. Your support will show that this is more than just a minor change—it’s a critical step toward transforming how students with disabilities are viewed, treated, and supported in our community. Join the campaign today, and together, we’ll make a meaningful difference!

Due to the increased number of school shootings all over our country children feel unsafe to seek further education ,as well as parents fearing for their children ranging from kindergartens to high schoolers. This domestic threat on my fellow classmates and I ,as well as so many children who attend schools everywhere violates the constitutional right to liberty and pursuit of happiness.  The right to education and safety are now teetering as nothing is done. Many children in the United States attending school have self harmed or attacked their schools because nothing was done to protect them from bullying and social outcasting, many students have harmed others for their right to exist, which can be linked to mistreatment at home, upbringing and lack of care from school officials.  It is important the elephant in the room must be addressed to insure a bright future for all students like me.