Job Title: Field Organizer, Free Exchange on Campus Coalition
Organization: Center for Campus Free Speech
Location: Chicago, IL
Salary: $23,750
FT Regular
 
Job Description:
 
Center for Campus Free Speech Field Organizer
 
About us:
The Center for Campus Free Speech (www.campusspeech.org) was created by a
variety of members of the higher education community - students, faculty,
administrators, and others - to protect and to promote free speech on
campuses. The Center acts as a clearinghouse of information, provides
specialized support to campuses, and connects concerned educators,
administrators, lawyers and students into a national network. In addition,
we work as part of the Free Exchange on Campus Coalition to stop proposals
that would restrict what students can learn in class.
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, were 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. Its this freedom that sponsors new ideas, fosters debate,
exposes students to frames and theories they have never encountered and
challenges core beliefs. Its 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, theres something controversial, where the
professor has to argue a position  that is the professors job. At the
same time, a student can and should argue with the professors conclusions.
Thats a students 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 professors names through the mud if their political
beliefs are challenged, threatening lawsuit if the professor is not demoted
or censured.
 
Were 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
Center for Campus Free Speech. 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.
 
Locations
The Center for Campus Free Speech is hiring for a Field Organizer based in
Chicago, IL.
 
How to Apply
Please email a resume and cover letter to Megan Fitzgerald, Program Director
(megan@campusspeech.org).
 
Questions
Please contact Megan Fitzgerald in our office with any questions: e-mail her
at megan@campusspeech.org or call (312) 291-0396.
 
Deadline
Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2008.
 
 
How to Apply:
Send resume and cover letter to the Director, Megan Fitzgerald.
megan@campusspeech.org
Organization Web Site: www.campusspeech.org
 
Email replies to: megan@campusspeech.org