University of Massachusetts President William Bulger has apparently thrown the weight of his office behind efforts by all five UMass campuses to “fight the budget cuts, tuition hikes, and layoffs,” at an April 25 rally at the Massachusetts State House.

Bulger advised students and faculty going to Beacon Hill to: “Be purposeful. Be respectful. Be persuasive.” He also announced two tandem events aimed at “underscoring the ways in which the five UMass campuses contribute to the Commonwealth’s workforce and economy” that have been scheduled for April 26 and April 27.

“Show Your UMass Spirit Day” is scheduled for Friday, April 26. “We are asking everyone with a UMass connection to wear a UMass shirt, hat or pin on Friday, April 26,” said Susan Mattei, executive director of the UMass Amherst Alumni Association. “Our hope is that the UMass logo will be everywhere that day. Not only do we plan to show our UMass spirit, but we’ll demonstrate our strong presence in the Commonwealth and our contributions to the state.”

UMass Day, on Saturday, April 27, will feature activities at six locations throughout the Commonwealth. The events are sponsored by UMass Alumni Clubs, to represent a collaboration between five campuses. All locations will include UMass information tables and ongoing video presentations.

There will be an event on that day at the Boston Public Library and Copley Plaza from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Bulger will read from his autobiography While the Music Lasts – My Life in Politics at the library. UMass Amherst Professor Leonard L. Richards will read from The Life and Times of Congreeman John Quincy Adams and UMass Amherst alumna Kamila Shamsie will read from her novel In the City by the Sea.

Scheduled for the Copley Plaza are an Alumni Band performance, a precision jump rope exhibition and UMass Extension activities.

Similar events are planned for the Cotuit Public Library, the Chelmsford Public Library, the Franklin Public Library, the Springfield Civic Center and Worcester Public Library.