We told U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick that cuts to higher-ed funding threaten affordability and life-saving research.
We rallied Nov. 7 in:
ALLENTOWN
ERIE
HARRISBURG
PHILADELPHIA
PITTSBURGH
SCRANTON
STATE COLLEGE
Why are we standing up?
- For AFFORDABLE HIGHER EDUCATION — ensuring that every student has the chance to learn without the crushing burden of debt.
- For LIFE-SAVING RESEARCH — protecting the groundbreaking discoveries and innovations that strengthen Pennsylvania, rather than allowing national-level cuts to stifle them.
- We’re telling U.S. Sen. Dave McCormick that cuts to higher-ed funding threaten affordability and life-saving research.
- Click here to read the press release.
📝 Click here to read the letter we gave to Sen. Dave McCormick.
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Allentown
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Erie
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Harrisburg
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Philadelphia
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Pittsburgh
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Scranton
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State College
Media coverage
Pittsburgh college professors call on McCormick to protect student aid, research funding —WESA, Nov. 7, 2025
Protesters urge Sen. McCormick to back federal funding for higher education —Fox 56, Nov. 7, 2025
‘Not something that you fight once’ | Unions participate in Day of Action for Higher Education —The Daily Collegian, Nov. 7, 2025
Students and faculty at over 100 US universities protest against Trump’s attacks —The Guardian, Nov. 7, 2025
Students, Unions to Protest Trump’s Higher Ed Agenda Friday —Inside Higher Ed, Nov. 4, 2025
Resources
Rights and safety at the rally:
- Know Your Rights at a Protest
- Know Your Rights Guide: Academic Freedom and Campus Free Speech for Scholars and Students on Visas
Talking points and general information:
- AFT/AAUP Higher Education: Savings Lives, Building Futures, Powering the Economy
- Talking points: Higher Ed Research Saves Lives
- Talking points: How Cuts to Basic-Needs Programs Affect College Students and Employees
- Fact sheet: Congress’ Reconciliation Bill Will Make Higher Education Less Affordable and Accessible for Pennsylvania Students
- How the ‘big, beautiful bill’ harms higher education
- Increased costs and decreased protections
- Defending Higher Education in 2025
- Video playlist: Higher Education: Saving Lives, Building Futures, Powering the Economy
Stay involved:
Students Rise Up
APSCUF members:
APSCUF members: Push Back for Higher Education (login required)
Watch:
“Higher education matters. Funding research that takes place across universities and colleges needs to be funded.” —Professor Bonnie Green, East Stroudsburg University