Check Out the National SDS Website
Check Out the WCC Chapter's SDS Website
Issues SDS is Tackling on Campus
For More Complete Info, Check-out Our Website
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Confronting the Lack of Teachers and Facilities and Growth of Waitlists on Campus
Stopping the Arbitrary Changing of Program Requirements and Increasing Student Involvement in Program Decision Making
Getting Jobs with Justice and Kicking Military Recruiters Off Campus
Preventing Book Companies from Monopolizing Our Campus
Ensuring a Living Wage for All Campus Workers
Fighting for Free Speech and Student Accessibility to Campus Resources
Give Our Community Control of Its Resources (The School), Through Active Involvement in Decision Making
What is SDS?
Students for a Democratic Society is an open group of students at Washtenaw Community College dedicated to student liberation.
I know what you're thinking... "Student liberation? What the hell is student liberation"? Allow us to explain.
We exist in a society dominated by coercive institutions and places of hierarchy. A common example can be found where we work. From hospitals and banks to McDonalds and daycare centers, we answer to a boss, to a time card, and to a wage. Our will and very livelihood are determined by forces largely beyond our control. Whether we keep or lose our jobs is determined by the financial whims of the institution and whether we get a raise is determined by the good will of a boss. There are, of course, organizations of workers dedicated challenging such an environment — labor unions.
Another common coercive institution almost everyone encounters is a school. Once again, we answer to a boss — this time in the form of a board of trustees or regents. Once again, our will and very livelihood is determined by forces largely beyond our control. What careers we take and what training we undergo, as well as what hoops we must jump through to attain a piece of paper qualifying us for that career are, like at work, in the hands of others. At school, students are made passive players in their own development and learning process. But there is a solution — student unions.
SDS wants to help organize students and place them in control of their educational community. We believe students should have a direct roll in the decision making process on their campus -- they are, after all, the heart of the educational community. We want to promote student unity and voice and challenge issues faced by students we feel the board of trustees and administration cannot adequately address.
We, in every sense of the word, want to bring democracy to Washtenaw Community College.