Updated as of 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday:
According to Margaret Atwood, today’s event was canceled due to an anonymous threat of violence. “I would not wish to endanger live-event audience members,” Atwood said during her event. The Barometer is still looking into more information about these reports.
She also shared that she was in communication with the Coalition of Graduate Employees throughout the past few days and wants to give them “attention for their cause”. Her statement, read during her discussion with Jennifer Richter, was provided to The Daily Barometer by the CGE and is attached below.
Full text of image:
THE OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY GRAD STUDENT TA STRIKE AND MY NOVEMBER 19 EVENT
Hello Oregonites, and Greetings from my Planet:
Here I am in Portland, having travelled for 14 hours to get here (on my birthday! It’s okay, at my age, best to ignore it).
It seems there is a graduate student strike going on, for higher wages and a shorter contract that won’t lock people in for 5 years. I am told that many items have been agreed upon and that a settlement is close.
I wouldn’t cross a picket line uninvited. The University gave me the option of cancelling. The strikers, on the other hand, said they didn’t want to cancel or disrupt the event – thereby p*ssing off 1200 people, which would not have helped their position.
They only want to gain attention for their cause. As you can see, I am helping them do that. They have a website for donations of food etc. at; cge6069.org
However, late-breaking news: due to anonymous threats of violence, I’ll be doing the event via live-stream rather than in person, as I would not wish to endanger live-event audience members.
As far as I can tell, the sides are aligned thus: The grad student teachers are in favour of themselves eating. With the cost of food having gone up so much, you can see their point. The university has offered increases, but (say some) not in line with the rise in cost of living. Having been a grad student once, a long, long, time ago, before face piercings, back when female students had to wear skirts to class, I can testify to some of the cheap crap one eats on a very limited budget. Want the recipe for my nourishing potato, onion, and wiener casserole? No. You don’t.
The university is in favour of fiscal responsibility and of being able to apportion and account for its responsible spending of donor and government funds. You can see their point, too: if they overspend, debt will ensue. But if they don’t have any grad student TAs, they essentially won’t have a university.
I wish both sides a successful outcome. According to the negotiating classic, Getting to Yes, a good negotiation is one in which neither side ends up with everything it wants. And a hint from the oracle: the incoming federal government does not have warm, friendly feelings towards universities. Get it done before then. And hide under the table.
Very best wishes and good luck,
Margaret Atwood
Original Story:
The Provost’s Lecture featuring Margaret Atwood set for Tuesday evening has been moved fully online according to an email from the Office of the Provost.
“Thank you for your interested in this highly anticipated event. We look forward to what is sure to be a captivating evening with Ms. Atwood,” the email stated.
The event will be shown online at this link at 7 p.m.
The Barometer will update this story with more information should we receive it.
