Professors at the University of Washington voted last night to issue a statement supporting the Occupy Wall Street/Occupy Seattle protests. Here it is:

The University of Washington Chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP-UW) stands in solidarity with the Occupy Wall Street movement.[pullquote]The dedicated students whom we teach at the University of Washington are being forced to pay more for tuition and go deeper into debt because of cuts in state funding.[/pullquote]

Over the last several years, we have watched as those at the very top have prospered while the fortunes of those below the very top have stagnated or declined. The gap between rich and poor is greater than ever before in our lifetimes, and we need to stand up for those who are trying to improve their circumstances and provide for their families.

The dedicated students whom we teach at the University of Washington are being forced to pay more for tuition and go deeper into debt because of cuts in state funding, too often only to find themselves unemployed when they graduate.

The majority of college and university faculty positions are now insecure, part-time jobs. In addition, attacks on collective bargaining have been rampant throughout the nation, as job security, wages, health benefits, and pensions have been either reduced or slated for elimination.

Therefore, it is time to stand up for what is right. We applaud the action the Occupy Wall Street movement has taken to highlight the inequity and unfairness of the society in which we live.

We strongly support the movement and wish it every success. We are in this together.