About us:

The U.S. has more problems than we should tolerate, and more solutions than we use. To change this equation, we need more people to participate in public life—to get informed and get active on the issues that affect our lives. This need is especially acute on college campuses, where training students to become effective citizens should become a core part of every curriculum. That’s where the Student PIRGs field organizers come in. By working with the top student leaders on the most influential campuses across the country, organizers are able to make an impact on a number of issues with hundreds of students from protecting the environment, to fighting hunger and homelessness and increasing the youth voter turnout.

This spring, we’re running a campaign with the Free Exchange on Campus Coalition to stop attacks on what faculty are able to teach and students are able to learn on college campuses. The Free Exchange on Campus Coalition is made up of student, faculty and civil liberties organizations to ensure that college campuses can remain a place where there is a free exchange of ideas.

Job Description:

The Field Organizer will be working to build support for a free exchange of ideas and our coalition across the country. Over the past few years, more than 20 states have considered proposals that would restrict what students are able to learn and faculty are able to teach on college campuses. Heralded as an “Academic Bill of Rights” by proponents, these bills are in fact not about rights, but restrictions. As part of the Free Exchange on Campus Coalition, www.freeexchangeoncampus.org, we’re working to stop proposals that would restrict a free exchange of ideas on college campuses throughout the country.
Freedom and open debate are at the core of what makes learning possible at a college campus. It’s this freedom that sponsors new ideas, fosters debate, exposes students to frames and theories they have never encountered and challenges core beliefs. It’s hard to imagine universities successfully challenging their students and their communities without the freedom to say, think and debate anything and everything.

Despite that, there are some people that would rather have silence than dissent. The Academic Bill of Restrictions would damage higher education, stripping students and faculty of their free speech rights, creating a chilling effect on what professors feel able to teach and students feel able to discuss.

In every subject, in each class, there’s something controversial, where the professor has to argue a position – that is the professor’s job. At the same time, a student can and should argue with the professor’s conclusions. That’s a student’s job.

ABOR would remove those crucial exchanges. It would stop political debate in class, and it would, and already has, allowed politically motivated students to drag their professor’s names through the mud if their political beliefs are challenged, threatening lawsuit if the professor is not demoted or censured.

We’re working to stop this spin machine by building a strong network of faculty, administrators, student leaders and free speech advocates to show that these ideas are dangerous and without merit.

Specifically, the Field Organizer will:

• Build a political network: Build coalitions with campus and state higher education and civil liberties organizations, identify and mobilize concerned campus and state administrators, faculty and students, and reach out to new constituencies to build our base of support in the state.

• Generate media attention and build public awareness: Organize news conferences and other press events, meet with editorial boards and reporters throughout the country, conduct TV and radio interviews, and generate opinion editorials and letters to the editor.

• Lobby decision-makers: Demonstrate broad public support for our positions through letter writing drives, e-mail activism, testimony, and meetings with decision-makers considering “Academic Bill of Restrictions” proposals.

• Build the organization: Work with and build membership in the organization and coalition, recruit and manage staff, and raise funds.

This position involves one to two weeks traveling per month.

Qualifications
We are looking for motivated individuals who are willing to work hard and commit themselves to getting results. We value experience with campus groups or student government, academic achievement, public interest commitment, and outstanding verbal, written and leadership skills. But most of all, we look for people who find a way to make a difference.

Salary & Benefits
As a recent graduate, you will earn $23,750 in your first year with the State PIRGs. Salary for experienced candidates is commensurate with relevant professional experience and/or advanced degrees. You will be eligible to opt in to our group health plan, will accrue two weeks paid vacation and will be eligible to apply for college loan assistance.

Location(s)
Chicago, IL

Application

Please email a resume and cover letter to Megan Fitzgerald, Program Director.

Application Deadline
February 15, 2008