Our students are amazing! OSA, with the support of many groups, led a successful protest yesterday as part of the November 7 national day of action. More photos soon, but for now here’s coverage from the OSU Lantern and from Columbus Dispatch.

Our November 7 day of action to defend higher education has taken the country by storm! ✊ “There is only one way forward in saving higher education and democracy writ large and that is students, faculty, staff united...We have to become a new political force.” — Todd Wolfson, AAUP President

When the AI bubble bursts the fallout is going to be interesting....

Yes, some people's legacies are complicated. For example, Watson. After all, though he was racist, don't forget his other traits. For example, he was also sexist. And also anti-semitic. And a data / idea thief. So let's not forget all the different facets.

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!

Nature suggests you use their "Manuscript Adviser" bot to get advice before submitting I uploaded the classic Watson & Crick paper about DNA structure, and the Adviser had this to say about one of the greatest paper endings of the century:

AAUP-OSU is proud to support the OSU chapter of the Ohio Student Association and other students who are coming out to demonstrate on 11/7 at noon for free speech on this campus. 11/7 is also a national day of action & events will be happening around the country. It’s time to stand up & be counted.

In the wake of searing media stories and big blowback from alums (some of whom threatened to pull planned endowments), Indiana University reversed its decision to stop letting their students print news. www.idsnews.com/article/2025...

Vote, people. Vote. As if your future depends on it.

OSU community members and beyond - please sign this letter to OSU admin to reject the Trump compact. And share widely. actionnetwork.org/petitions/os...

Local elections are happening this year all over the nation. Community, county, & state races have a significant impact on your day to day. These elections often see low turnout. This is your chance to grab some friends and swing things in the better direction. I did.

"It's past time to recognize that university administrators aren't going to lead the way out of this, [setting] the stage for leadership... from faculty, staff, & students, [where] most if not all progress in higher ed over the past 100 yrs has occurred." www.science.org/doi/10.1126/... #AcademicSky

Hey, you know you've made the big time when the right-wing bullshit machine starts spreading disinfo and conspiracy theories about you. Keep up the good work! And let's get the quack out and the science back.

Note the complete absence of women except as an accessory to men.

That “working class” is a transparently race and gender coded term tells you who pundits view as low and middle income workers and what type of work they believe “counts” among this group. Reality: the working class is predominantly White women and racial minorities in the low wage service sector.

I’ve received some feedback this week about generally having a more “palatable” message—e.g., not naming Trump or calling out other orgs. I need folks to understand something: I’m not trying to make a palatable message. I’m using the message of science to try to stop authoritarianism in America. 🧵

Trump's "Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education" is unconstitutional and should be universally rejected by colleges and universities. knightcolumbia.org/blog/a-brief...

Happy Mole Day for all who celebrate

Oooohhhh -- *THAT'S* why he needed a Space Force: For renovations!

As a former insider at AAAS, I know about some of the good work AAAS does, but have been deeply disappointed in this organization for a number of reasons for years. I was deeply concerned about giving Bhattacharya an honored platform to spew propaganda with no opportunity for questions. 1/3

That’s about 45 5-year R01 projects. For Noem to gallivant around the world for cosplay photo shoots.

This is what democracy looks like. #NoKings

#NoKings wanted in Columbus, Ohio.

the US government has arrived on bluesky

5/5

“By declining to compromise its core mission, Brown has affirmed that no amount of federal bribery is worth surrendering the freedom to question, explore & dissent.“ — Todd Wolfson, AAUP President #defendhighered

This is a remarkable piece. Conservative AND liberal legal scholars come out TOGETHER to condemn Trump’s compact for higher education. www.chronicle.com/article/our-...

F this and F that drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/10/17/f...

In our country, the power is with the people. Tomorrow, October 18, I encourage you to join your neighbors in peaceful protest at a No Kings event.

In about three years the entire university pivot to AI curricula and schools and programs is going to be so deeply embarrassing. We will all pretend it never happened and I will be standing there, looking at people with a mirror in my eyes. This is all so embarrassing.

If you are a scientist and not out in the street Saturday, you are jeopardizing your own future. Join us! We have power when we band together

Penn and USC have also rejected the Compact! That makes 4 - stronger together. www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...

WOOHOO USC "respectfully declines" the compact as well cc @aaup.org www.latimes.com/california/s...

Sure. First, a caveat. F awardees must activate their awards within 6 months of receiving the Notice of Award. See grants.nih.gov/grants-proce... Given the lateness of many awards, there may be additional F awards appearing in NIH Reporter over time. Thus, the news may get somewhat better. 1/3

A summary of training, fellowship, and career development awards Fiscal year 2025 (compared to fiscal year 2024) 1/12

BOOM! 💥💥💥 Brown REJECTS Trump’s loyalty oath! “I’m concerned the compact, by its nature & provisions, would restrict #academicfreedom & undermine the autonomy of Brown’s governance, critically compromising our ability to fulfill our mission.” — Christina H. Paxson, Brown University President

♥️🎉Fed Court grants temporary restraining order in AFGE v. OMB, halting firings on 10/10 during govt. shutdown for 14 days. Applies to ALL agencies (including CDC) with at least 1 AFGE member. Your Union Power at work! ♥️💪 #unionstrong #AFGE mcsms.io/XswQaF www.afge2883ga.org

And now Brown University has rejected the Trump Loyalty Oath. Two down and seven to go! @aaup.org @aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/10/15/u...

🚫👑 T minus 2 days to Saturday’s no kings protests. There are over 2000 events scheduled across the country. The people have power in numbers and it’s well past time we used it. Find a protest near you. Bring friends. Get loud 📣 www.nokings.org #nokings 🚫👑

OSU has again changed its policy on land acknowledgement bans after faculty pushback. Our board member Chris M. Nichols is cited in the article. The Dispatch also quotes from our chapter’s September statement. www.dispatch.com/story/news/e...

Are they purposely trying to get me even more mad and more determined to go to No Kings on Saturday? If so, it's working.

As expected, the first 9 compacts were a trial run. They have now come for all of us. And each of us, and all of us, should say no. Scoop via @liamknox.bsky.social at Bloomberg: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...

If you are applying for a faculty job in Texas, argue for a higher salary than you'd get at other institutions. The lack of real tenure protections is a de facto compensation cut and you should negotiate accordingly. Texas search committees know that getting good candidates is an uphill battle.

NIH Study Sections are on hold...again. drugmonkey.wordpress.com/2025/10/13/n...

So. That little twerp Mike Johnson has heard of the protests planned for the 18th! Thanks for the free publicity you little shit. We're getting under their skin. See you there 💪 🚫👑No Kings 2.0, October 18. www.nokings.org www.huffpost.com/entry/no-kin...

As someone who attends protests in a pink gorilla suit, I approve of these great shenanigans in Portland. Top notch work.

"Outside of Portland's ICE facility last night, Kenny from South Park got married to a unicorn. The betrothed Portland couple, who arrived and departed the scene by motorcycle, declined to be identified by name." www.oregonlive.com/crime/2025/1...

Never forget this: The forces rigging our economy, undermining our democracy, polluting our planet, and stoking hatred are counting on you to give up. Cynicism is how they win. Stay clear-eyed and ready for the fight ahead.

@sanders.senate.gov: "No, Speaker Johnson, the #NoKings Rally on October 18th is not a 'hate America' rally. ... It’s a rally of millions of people who believe in American freedom and are not going to allow you and President Trump to turn us into an authoritarian country."