The faculty of the Department of English affirms the following principles, for the benefit of our graduate students and we believe, more broadly, for the benefit of the College of Arts and Sciences and, indeed, Indiana University:

1. Our graduate students, indeed, all people, possess the human right to organize and act collectively in pursuit of what they conceive to be their interests.
2. Should graduate students at Indiana University choose to take action as employees of the university, the Department of English Language and Literature will not retaliate against those students.
3. Collective labor action on the part of graduate students will not alter their academic standing within the Department nor will it alter the Department’s commitment to the academic and professional success of our graduate students. Within the Department, decisions about mentoring, advising, and letters of recommendation will not be affected by a student’s decision to participate (or not participate) in a strike. The Department does not, ultimately, control all aspects of SAA appointments but will not retaliate against students in any departmental deliberations as to future appointments.
4. We support graduate students in their efforts for better working conditions and we will continue to advocate and fight for higher stipends, lower fees, and greater representation of their voices.