UC Santa Cruz 'tent cities'
A professor friend sent me this article regarding the tent city protesters in California.
My initial understanding, when I first heard about these protest plans, was that there was a significant effort to coordinate dozens of similar protests. The sentiment isn't as strong elsewhere so I don't know if any other universities came through. The purpose was not to attack faculty and institutions--although that's what they end up doing--but rather to protest the recent education budget cuts that hit California...(ok, that the governator just approved. You can imagine where their anger is aimed--hence my specific mention of Arnold because he is one figure liberal students love to hate--the very image of personal popularity translated into a successful ousting of bleeding heart liberalism from the governor's mansion)
The ABC article is brief so here's the full text:
I wish that made some kind of sense. I shouldn't complain. At least they are clearing out of those crowded classrooms and providing plenty of space for students who are there to get an education. That's not said totally tongue in cheek because there is no statement that I can see regarding inability to learn because of what amounts to poor living conditions. Anybody else get the impression they expect college to be some kind of alternative welfare program?
Memo to tent city: Learn your ABCs, then go out and get a real job.
My initial understanding, when I first heard about these protest plans, was that there was a significant effort to coordinate dozens of similar protests. The sentiment isn't as strong elsewhere so I don't know if any other universities came through. The purpose was not to attack faculty and institutions--although that's what they end up doing--but rather to protest the recent education budget cuts that hit California...(ok, that the governator just approved. You can imagine where their anger is aimed--hence my specific mention of Arnold because he is one figure liberal students love to hate--the very image of personal popularity translated into a successful ousting of bleeding heart liberalism from the governor's mansion)
The ABC article is brief so here's the full text:
Students set up tent city classrooms on the UC Santa Cruz campus, saying they would teach themselves. Campus police arrested the students for violation of a no-camping ordinance.So they are attacking the very institution that provides the jobs for those poor campus workers.
The students say they are fed up with fee hikes, less financial aid, crowded classrooms, and low wages for campus workers.
Despite the arrests, students plan to continue the protest.Ok...
Lauren Langone, UC Santa Cruz student: "We're just going to try to continue with our purpose, which is to form a democracy and have a space where everybody can be heard."
Campus officials say violators of the UC no camping policy could be suspended or dismissed from the university.
Students claim the arrests are denying them the rights to assembly and free speech.
I wish that made some kind of sense. I shouldn't complain. At least they are clearing out of those crowded classrooms and providing plenty of space for students who are there to get an education. That's not said totally tongue in cheek because there is no statement that I can see regarding inability to learn because of what amounts to poor living conditions. Anybody else get the impression they expect college to be some kind of alternative welfare program?
Memo to tent city: Learn your ABCs, then go out and get a real job.
posted by Mark at 2:26 PM
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