Striking IU grad students conducting alternative “disorientation tours” for incoming students

A group of graduate student workers at Indiana University is taking its strike to incoming students visiting the Bloomington campus.

Members of the Graduate Workers Coalition handed out pamphlets to prospective students and their parents at I-U’s Office of Admissions building Friday. It was the last of the university’s “Red Carpet” days, offering tours and welcome materials to new students.

Workers even conducted alternative “disorientation tours” to highlight landmarks around campus built with tuition money.

Incoming freshman Thomas Miller says he wasn’t bothered by the picket lines during one university-led tour. “I would hope that the university would be supportive or, like, try to listen to them.”

Stops on the tour included the I-U president’s residence and the Metz Bicentennial Grand Carillon.

The coalition wants to form a union despite I-U’s opposition. They’ve been on strike since April 13.