Penn State’s Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) will hold a “Labor Day of Action” on September 7 to protest the university’s decision to return to campus this fall.

CGE is organizing a #LaborDayOfAction to protest Penn State's catastrophic fall plans. We have several demands, but broadly we are demanding (1/11): pic.twitter.com/uk2c7GaVZd

— CGE at PSU (@cge_psu) August 24, 2020

In addition to demanding online instruction for the fall semester, the CGE is calling for Penn State to provide adequate technology for faculty and students to use should the semester go remote. Additionally, the CGE is calling for student, faculty, and employee representation on any coronavirus decision-making boards.

The CGE also demands Penn State pay for all coronavirus-related expenses, including testing and treatment.

The organization also voiced frustration by Penn State’s requirement to work on Labor Day this year. The university said it wouldn’t cancel classes on the annual holiday to reduce potential student travel.

“Penn State’s requirement to work on Labor Day demonstrates blatant disregard for our labor — labor that powers the university,” the CGE wrote on Twitter.

Earlier this summer, the CGE hosted a “Die-In” on Old Main Lawn. The protest involved graduate students laying on the lawn for 13 minutes to recognize the 130,000+ coronavirus deaths (at the time) that have occurred, as well as various speakers and special guests.

We had an amazing demonstration yesterday. Check the thread for articles written about it. One key piece many of them miss is the range of participants. Represented were undergraduates, graduate workers, faculty members, staff members, healthcare workers, community members. pic.twitter.com/gcLsSMurri

— CGE at PSU (@cge_psu) July 21, 2020

The CGE has continually voiced its strong opposition to returning to campus for the fall semester on its Twitter account. In addition to the Labor Day of Action and the Die-In, the CGE has formed petitions and spoken out against other policies, such as the compact students were obligated to sign before returning to campus. Through their efforts, the CGE played a part in Penn State reversing the language in the compact.