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UMass Student Leaders Call For 2-Day Strike

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Nov 13, 2007 5:34 pm US/Eastern

UMass Student Leaders Call For 2-Day Strike

AMHERST, Mass. (WBZ) ― Student leaders at the University of Massachusetts called for a two-day boycott of classes on the Amherst campus later this week.

students are being urged to skip classes and air their grievances during teach-ins and demonstrations on Thursday and Friday.

Graduate Student Senate President Jeffrey Napolitano said students will air their grievances on several issues, including rising student fees and the presence of campus police patrols in dormitories. They'll also demand recruitment of more low-income and minority students and call for greater control over space at the Campus Center and Student Union Building.

About 25,000 undergraduate and graduate students attend the school.

Organizers said they expect thousands of classmates to join the walkout. As of Tuesday afternoon, 1,200 students signed up online, organizers said, adding that dozens of faculty members have pledged not to retaliate.

Some professors have already postponed classes or delayed tests, while others have indicated they will not punish students for striking.

UMass administrators expect to meet Tuesday to discuss the situation. University officials admit fees skyrocketed five years ago, but say they are still below the rate of inflation.

In state student charges are about $17,400 a year.

(© 2007 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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