Oral Histories

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Oral History Interview with Allison Johntry
An oral history interview with AU Staff Union member Allison Johntry.
Oral History Interview with Gabriella Folsom (Part 1)
Gabriella Folsom was a Senior Administrative Assistant with the Department of History in the College of Arts & Sciences (CAS) at American University during the 2022 strike. Her story touches upon the isolation among staff members brought about through COVID-19 and remote work. Gabriella also shares the impact and energy of the freshmen walkout, solidarity throughout the various university units, and the tension between the university administration's fundraising priorities and staff satisfaction.
Oral History Interview with Gabriella Folsom (Part 2)
This is the second part of Gabriella Folsom's interview. Gabriella was a Senior Administrative Assistant in the Department of History. Gabriella dives a bit deeper into the importance of administrative staff. These essential staff members carry out a lot of the work that sets up faculty and other more senior staff to keep the university running on a day-to-day basis. She also thanks her department specifically for their support throughout the strike and bargaining process.
Oral History Interview with Jamie Boraks
An oral history interview with AU Staff Union member Jamie Boraks. This interview was part of a series o interviews conducted on March 20, 2023 as part of the Preserving the Picket Line picnic on the American University Quad.
Oral History Interview with Lillian Frame
An oral history interview with AU senior Lillian Frame.
Oral History Interview with Rebekah Smith
An oral history interview with AU staff member Rebekah Smith.
Oral History Interview with Rohin Gosh
An oral history interview with AU sophomore Rohin Gosh.
Oral History Interview with Salvatore Cottone
Oral history interview with Salvatore Cottone, senator for the campus at-large in the Undergraduate Senate. Salvatore recounts drawing inspiration from the strike and the desire to form better connections between the undergraduate student body and various labor movements around campus. One effort Salvatore spearheaded was drafting a resolution to condemn the administration sanctions against the Temple Graduate Student Union strike in 2022.
SEIU American University Staff "Change Can't Wait!"
A video created by AU staff members asking for community solidarity in calling on President Burwell to sign a fair union contract.