We, the undersigned students, alumni, community members, and supporters of Lane Community College, stand in strong support of the Lane Community College Education Association (LCCEA) and the faculty who consistently stand beside and behind students throughout their educational journeys.

LCC faculty go far beyond what is required. They mentor, advocate, and often sacrifice personal time to ensure student success. In nursing and other healthcare programs especially, faculty guidance is not optional. It is essential to safe education, clinical readiness, and patient care. Without dedicated faculty and engaged learners, a college is nothing more than empty infrastructure.

Faculty are currently bargaining for a fair contract that prioritizes student success, safety, and access to education. Their proposals directly align with what students and the broader community need, including:

• Reasonable class sizes that allow meaningful instruction and safe supervision

• Increased staffing for counseling, mental health, and student support services

• Protection and expansion of basic needs resources such as food and housing support

• Investment in Open Educational Resources to reduce textbook costs

• Campus safety protections for emergencies and public health crises

• Continued support for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion efforts

• Protections for immigrant students and employees

• Stability in faculty employment to ensure continuity and high-quality education

At the same time, students and community members are deeply concerned about the administration’s proposed actions, including increasing class sizes, cutting courses despite rising enrollment, reducing DEI initiatives, weakening faculty job security, and not investing sufficiently in student services such as counseling staffing and mental health support. These decisions impact not only current students, but the strength of the college as a public resource for our entire region.

The cancellation of more than 100 class sections has already disrupted academic plans, limited access to required courses, and delayed student progress. In high-stakes programs like nursing and allied health, these disruptions can affect graduation timelines, licensure eligibility, workforce readiness, and patient care in our communities.

Many students are preparing to graduate this June and have already been accepted into bachelor’s and advanced programs. A strike resulting from the administration’s refusal to bargain fairly would jeopardize educational pathways, financial aid, and professional futures, particularly for students entering healthcare fields our community relies on.

Lane Community College serves as a vital educational and workforce pipeline for our region. Decisions that prioritize administrative expansion while cutting programs, faculty, and student services undermine the mission of the college and erode public trust.

We respectfully call on the Lane Community College Board of Education and Administration to come to the table in good faith and settle a fair contract now. One that supports faculty, protects students, and preserves the future of our college.

Supporting faculty is supporting students.

A fair contract is a community issue.

The time to act is now.