The College Democrats of UW Oshkosh will be hosting the non-partisan #SaveOurUW rally on April 7, 2015, from noon-2 p.m. in front of Polk Library.

According to Grayson Bourke, president of the College Democrats, the idea for the rally came about in light of Gov. Scott Walker’s proposed budget and the funding that would be allotted to the UW System.

“By cutting our state education institutions by $300 million, Gov. Walker is telling prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, academic staff, professional staff and anyone else who relies on the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh that their future here does not include adequate funding from the state of Wisconsin,” Bourke said.
“We think that this is very poor policy choice on behalf of the governor, and to be frank, it is very selfish in my opinion.”

According to Bourke, he and Ben Stepanek, vice chairman for the rally were the main forces behind the rally but many others were involved as well.

“Ben Stepanek, [Treasurer] William Fath, [Oshkosh Student Association Representative] Alex “Sasha” Novak, [Public Relations], Andria Marsh and I are doing the heavy lifting, but our other members such as Brandon Colligan, Paul Przybelski, Lisa Suprise and Trinity Elmer are playing pivotal roles as well,” Bourke said.

Bourke said there have been many faculty and staff involved in the planning of the rally as well, including Vice Chancellor Petra Roter, who approved the rally being held on campus.

“Our adviser, David Siemers, is helping plan,” Bourke said. “We have also had help from Sgt. Heavener of University Police, Lisa Goetsch of Reeve [Memorial Union] and [professor] Michelle Kuhl of history will be speaking.”

Bourke said there has been no opposition to the rally, but he wanted to make it clear the rally will be and always has been non-partisan.

“I cannot stress enough that this rally is non-partisan, and it’s scope is pro-education and not anti-Walker,” Bourke said.

According to Bourke, the rally is student led but attendees will hear from many others from the campus.

“This is a student-led and organized rally, but with faculty, staff and Representative Amanda Stuck of Appleton making a speech too,” Bourke said.