Robert G. Porter Scholars Program

Grants and Scholarships Available As part of the Robert G. Porter Scholars Program, the AFT offers $8,000 scholarships to four high-achieving high school seniors who are the dependents of AFT members. And 10 grants of $1,000 each are available to AFT members who seek to implement ideas for their union about the role union members can play in collectively reclaiming the promise.  Applications are now available online. The deadline for submitting the 2014 application to the AFT is March 31. This year's winners will be announced by June 30 and will be recognized at the AFT convention, July 11-14, in Los Angeles.  Robert G. Porter was a dedicated union activist from the time he joined his first AFT local in East St. Louis, Ill., until his death in 1991. For nearly four decades, the late AFT secretary-treasurer gave his all to championing the rights of working people, promoting civil rights, and ensuring that the union was a vehicle for helping members achieve justice. Since its inception in 1993, the Robert G. Porter Scholars Program has awarded more than $500,000 to AFT members and their dependents to further their education and to help grow our union’s capacity to achieve our goals.

Statement to the Board of Trustees

On February 6, 2014, the Board of Trustees held a meeting at 10:00 a.m., and though Rich Wolfson, President of AFT Local 1904, was unable to attend and present his statement in person, he did submit it to the Board of Trustees chair, Ralph LaRossa and Dr. Cole as written correspondence to the Board. In his statement he offered condolences on behalf of AFT Local 1904 to Rose Cali and the entire Cali family on the passing of John J. Cali, and noted the loss of two MSU faculty members, Sue Weston and Robert McCormick.

In addition, Dr. Wolfson also commented on the Revised Patent Policy and the proposed Social Media Policy, and addressed the recent changes to the tenure law. He closed his comments by remarking on the condition of campus on Monday, February 3, 2014 and welcoming the new vice president for Human Resources, Jerry Cutler. His entire statement can be read by clicking here.