I really don't want to hold UC Berkeley up as an example, but as an icon for student protests, it didn't let us down this past week. How long was it before the first videos of that clash between students and UC Berkeley campus police hit YouTube? Minutes maybe? Students are becoming experts at mobilizing the media and getting their message out first. Of course, that is also true for students at UC Santa Cruz and UC Davis.
Students in the UC system are very publicly angry and frustrated about the 32% tuition increase approved by the UC Board of Regents last week. Much like the UC staff and faculty were angry and frustrated about the layoff's and furloughs of last month. The difference is that student protests tend to be somewhat sheltered in public opinion by their age, their passion and their ability to use the internet as their agent.
Campus administrations recognize the student's right to be frustrated and angry about the fee increases. They support the student's First Amendment rights and freedom of expression. What they can't tolerate are actions that do "little more than divert precious resources while denying others their rightful access to campus facilities and services." Actions like blocking roads, occupying buildings, vandalizing offices, setting off fire alarms.
Enter the campus police.
Just like in the real world, police officers on campus are charged with ensuring safety and maintaining order. They are not the administration; they support the administration. The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at UC Santa Cruz established the playing field for campus police with this letter to the campus:
"Be advised that if you choose to participate in demonstration and protest activities that result in violations of University policies and applicable laws, you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and dismissal and/or criminal prosecution."
If you watch those YouTube videos carefully, it is pretty clear the clashes between students and campus police started out as one of those vicious circles: I push you, you push me, I push you back, you push me back ⦠who started it depends on your point of view. In no time it turns into something ugly, and leaves more scars on the participants than skinned elbows and knees.
Campus police don't want to engage with students like that. I heard one officer last week talking about strategies for removing students from a building they had occupied. He wanted to make sure everyone was careful. "These are our kids," he said.
It's a lose-lose situation. Nobody wins.
Top
Students in the UC system are very publicly angry and frustrated about the 32% tuition increase approved by the UC Board of Regents last week. Much like the UC staff and faculty were angry and frustrated about the layoff's and furloughs of last month. The difference is that student protests tend to be somewhat sheltered in public opinion by their age, their passion and their ability to use the internet as their agent.
Campus administrations recognize the student's right to be frustrated and angry about the fee increases. They support the student's First Amendment rights and freedom of expression. What they can't tolerate are actions that do "little more than divert precious resources while denying others their rightful access to campus facilities and services." Actions like blocking roads, occupying buildings, vandalizing offices, setting off fire alarms.
Enter the campus police.
Just like in the real world, police officers on campus are charged with ensuring safety and maintaining order. They are not the administration; they support the administration. The Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs at UC Santa Cruz established the playing field for campus police with this letter to the campus:
"Be advised that if you choose to participate in demonstration and protest activities that result in violations of University policies and applicable laws, you may be subject to disciplinary action up to and including suspension and dismissal and/or criminal prosecution."
If you watch those YouTube videos carefully, it is pretty clear the clashes between students and campus police started out as one of those vicious circles: I push you, you push me, I push you back, you push me back ⦠who started it depends on your point of view. In no time it turns into something ugly, and leaves more scars on the participants than skinned elbows and knees.
Campus police don't want to engage with students like that. I heard one officer last week talking about strategies for removing students from a building they had occupied. He wanted to make sure everyone was careful. "These are our kids," he said.
It's a lose-lose situation. Nobody wins.
