To the Editor:

Two weeks ago, we as a community — including students, faculty, workers and faith leaders — marched to Kirkland in a symbolic action to protect the low-wage workers on our campus. We were proud to have members from our entire community present at this event, as it clearly showed No Cuts is a community-wide effort to help Vanderbilt workers who are most vulnerable in the university’s financial cut backs.

We are pleased Chancellor Nick Zeppos agrees with our recommendation to take a voluntary pay cut and has also finally agreed to meet with several Living Income for Vanderbilt Employees representatives. We were disappointed, however, that Chancellor Zeppos has agreed to meet with only a few student representatives and not with a representative of the concerned party — the workers. While this meeting cannot be said to have a fully adequate representation of our community without a worker present, we hope a dialogue with the chancellor will strengthen the job security of our lowest-paid Vanderbilt workers.

Nevertheless, we hope to move forward with this campaign and continue to work toward worker rights and protection in all areas of our community.

Sarah Williams
Junior
Blair School of Music

Editor’s note: Chancellor Zeppos explained last week that he took a “substabtial” pay cut last fall in light of the growing economic crisis. For more information see page 1.