**CALL TO ACTION**



Living Wage at Towson University



Who: Student Worker Allianc of Towson (SWAT)
When: Friday March 15, 9:30am
Where: Parking lot of the "Center for the Arts" building on Towson University campus. After 10:00am, please meet at the front entrance to the Towson Center which is locate across the street.
Action: Wear all black, bring broom if you wish, props will be provided to you.
Information: 410-583-9273
(SWAT members will be wearing maroon armbands)




On Friday March 15, Towson University will be holding an Inauguration for the new president; Mark L. Perkins. The Student Worker Alliance of Towson is currently involved in a campaign to provide a living wage to housekeeping workers on campus.
These workers are some of the lowest paid in the state, averaging poverty level wages of $6.10 an hour, with little increase even after years of service. SWAT has made efforts to obtain a living wage for the workers by educating students and pressuring TU administration. Last semester SWAT members collected over 1100 signatures in support of a living wage. If you would like more information on SWAT or our campaign, please visit our website at www.towsonlivingwage.org
In recent weeks Towson has come under pressure from state lawmakers, students and others because of its spending over $1.45 million on a house for president Perkins. This friday's inauguration is costing the school over $50,000, not including extras such as thousands of invitations which cost $25 apiece. Now, by choosing to spend millions on unnecessary indulgences for the president rather than increase workers wages, TU administration has shown that they do not consider the members of their university community living in poverty to be a priority. Our goal is to demonstrate the opposition to irresponsible spending, and emphasize the real needs at our university, such as adequetly providing for workers.
We are taking this opportunity to bring attention to the living wage campaign at Towson, as well as abroad, by holding a non-confrontational visual demonstration. This event is informational and visual in nature, and will rely heavily on a cohesive message and large presence. As such we ask community members to join us and show solidarity for a living wage. This action is not a typical protest, as we are trying to avoid confrontation and instead educate and show a strong presence. We ask that you be there Friday March 15 at 9:30am in the parking lot of the Center for the Arts building located on Osler Drive. For those who
arrive after 10:00am, we will be at the front entrance to the Towson Center, which is located across the street from the parking lot to the Center for the Arts. We ask that you wear all black, and if you wish, bring a broom. We will provide all other necessary props to you. We also ask that if you take part in the action that you assist us by following the direction of swat members wearing maroon armbands. It will also help us greatly if to direct reporters and other media towards swat members.
If you have any questions regarding the action or need directions, feel free to contact us at 410-583-9273. We will have a final organizational/practice meeting Thursday March 14 at 9:00 pm in the Potomac Lounge, located in the University Union, which you are more than welcome to attend.