Indiana University Progressive Faculty and Staff Caucus:
who, why, where

What's new

• Screening of "Sick Around the World", Wed., Oct. 21, 2009, 7:00-8:00pm, Fine Arts 102; download flier
• At a reorganizational meeting on Sept. 25, 2009, members of the Progressive Faculty Coalition voted to change the name of the organization to the Progressive Faculty and Staff Caucus.

Who we are

The Indiana University Progressive Faculty and Staff Caucus represents more than a hundred faculty, staff, and postdoctoral members from the Bloomington campus of Indiana University. As educators, the members of the PFC recognize a responsibility to foster informed and critical dialogue in our classrooms, on our campus, in our community, and in national and international forums.

We seek to work in alliance with other groups and organizations committed to congruent ideas and educational aims.

Our mission

We are united in support of the following sentiments and principles (revised 29 Sept, 2004):

1. While mourning the victims of terrorism, we question the idea that the crime of terrorism can be "defeated" by war and militarism.
2. We oppose the aggressive foreign policy of our government as an obstacle to cooperation at all levels, including the academic, with other peoples.
3. We call on our government to renounce unilateral action and to affirm the central roles of the World Court and of other mechanisms for multilateral conflict resolution.
4. We are committed to the defense of civil liberties and due process.
5. We oppose all bigotry and violence against racial, ethnic, and religious groups, as well as women and sexual minorities, recognizing the need for special vigilance now as militarism breeds intense hatreds all around.
6. We reject the proposition that opposition to government policy is "unpatriotic." In articulating the positions outlined above, we believe we are drawing on the university's tradition of critical dissent. The spirit of inquiry, critical thinking, and respect for a diversity of viewpoints is essential to the functioning of a free society -- never more than during times of crisis.
7. We seek to further both domestic and international economic and social justice.
8. We question whether current economic policies, based as they are on the primacy of competition rather than cooperation, have the ability or the intent to reduce global poverty or to slow the despoiling of the environment.
9. We accept the responsibility of citizens living in a local community by addressing issues of concern to all in that community — schools, security, the arts, health care, and basic utilities.

Contacting us

You can find out more about the IU/PFC using this e-mail link.