Sit-In to Save General College at the U: Day 1

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This is what my post was about last night. At about 10 AM, 12 students went in to the Administrative Building to protest the proposed closing of the General College, which lets many poorer and minority students into the U.

It rose to about 17-20 within a few minutes, and the doors to the building were then locked, they claimed it was not public property. Bullshit. The police made us take down the banner, because it was blocking the doors, even though the doors had already been locked.

An assembly of students and staff from the University,
autonomous of the General College, has already
(emphasis added) begun a peaceful and unified action
in opposition to the administration concerning the
Strategic Positioning Process, in particular, the
closing of the General College.



At 10:00am today (Wednesday, May 4th), the president’s
office and Morrill Hall was occupied for a protest
sit-in and outdoor rally!



These protestors, whom are able of change, are not
satisfied with “politics as usual;” for the true
meaning of democracy is “the rule of the people” and
this action is an _expression of their right and duty
to have their voices heard.



In solidarity, we ask you to join the protest, join
the sit-in, and support these students!



What: Protest and sit-in to oppose the closing of
General College and the undemocratic process of the
Strategic Positioning plan.



Where: Morrill Hall (Office of the President), located
at 100 Church Street S.E., Minneapolis, MN 55455.



When: From now until clear demands or a resolution is
reached!


Here's what YOU can do.

Call Pres. Robert Bruininks 612-626-1616
or e-mail him at [email protected] and urge him NOT to use force. The longer we can make this thing last, the stronger we are.

Thanks,

Steve, General College Truth Movement

[katinmn]

1. good on you! will do

[Worst Username Ever]

2. Here is my letter, as posted in GD (i'm a GC alum)

Dear sir,

My reason for writing you today is two-fold.

As a General College alum, I have heard news recently that the University is again considering closing the doors to GC. As you are well aware, GC is responsible for a large part of minority recruitment at the University. It is because of General College that many minority and otherwise challenged students are admitted to the U and given a chance to have an education that is unmatched in the state of Minnesota. GC also is the reason that students like me (white, middle class, but perhaps not having grasped the importance of academics in high school) are given a second chance to go to college, when they might not otherwise have been able to attend. I was given a second chance at a college education at the University as a direct result of my admittance to the General College. I left the college for CLA, and graduated with a 3.4 GPA, and a resume two pages long filled with volunteer and community work. I was recently admitted to the William Mitchell College of Law with a 75% academic scholarhsip (Hamline Law School offered me 100%). None of this would have been possible without the General College giving me a second chance. It is with this that I urge you to keep the doors of the General College open. It is best for the state, best for the University, and most importantly, best for the student.


Secondly, it has come to my attention that students are conducting various peaceful sit-ins and protests to demonstrate to University officials the importance that the General College holds for them. I urge you to allow these students to continue their peaceful protests, and to listen to what they have to say.

Thank you for your time,

XXXXX CLA '99

[Worst Username Ever]

5. Aaaaannd the token form letter response.

Dear Mr. XXXX:

Thank you for your recent letter on the University of Minnesota's
strategic positioning initiative and your specific comments about the
importance of General College. I appreciate hearing about your
experience at the University--I want the type of experience and
support you received to be available to more students, not just
students admitted to General College.

I share your concerns about strengthening access and opportunity at
the University of Minnesota. However, I want the access that is
provided to be access to success, ensuring that our students complete
their course of study. Despite the dedication, best efforts and
extensive knowledge of General College faculty and staff, the current
structure of General College has not been sufficiently successful in
its retention and graduation of students. I believe that by building
on the knowledge currently available in General College and
mainstreaming this knowledge and practice across the entire
University, we can provide greater consistency and quality to support
an increasingly diverse student body.

The recommendations I plan to submit to the Board of Regents will not
decrease enrollment or our commitment to recruit and support students
of color or those from "first generation" backgrounds. Presently,
nearly two-thirds of these students at the University are served by
colleges other than General College. Assertions that the University
will no longer admit or support these students ignores the
University's values and commitment and are groundless speculations.

The strategic positioning task force recommendations I received were
made after a great deal of information gathering, along with
considerable consultation and deliberation, and I continue to consult
and gather feedback from the University community and the public. The
process has been governed by the values we hold dear as a land grant
institution, a major center for research and a place of educational
excellence and opportunity for students from all walks of life.
Changing demographics and economics and global challenges compel us
to change to strengthen our leadership capacity and performance in
critical academic areas and to ensure the University's future ability
to fulfill its education, research and public service obligations to
the citizens of Minnesota. For the University of Minnesota to remain
strong for the future and to be an outstanding research and teaching
institution, we need to make strategic changes to better serve our
students and the state.

The University acknowledges and reaffirms the University community's
right to gather and demonstrate in a peaceful and orderly manner for
the redress of grievances of whatever nature. The University also
affirms that the functions and proceedings of the President's Office
must remain free from organized or calculated confusion, disturbance
or delay in order to conduct its normal business functions. To this
end, rules, policies and regulations for the governance of public
property must be observed. The University will continue to allow the
demonstration as long as the demonstrators follow the rules, policies
and regulations that govern our University.

Again, thank you for taking the time to write to me and to share your
concerns and suggestions for a stronger University of Minnesota.

Sincerely,



Robert H. Bruininks
President

[katinmn]

3. here's mine

Dear President Bruininks,

I am disappointed to hear that the University is again considering closing General College.

General College is an option for many who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend college and advance themselves through higher education.

I understand a protest is currently underway. I hope that you will allow the students to protest without calling for their arrest, and that you will meet with them to discuss General College's future before any decisions are finalized.

Thank you.

xxxxxx
St. Paul
University of MN-Duluth '80

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4. thanks everybody!

[katinmn]

6. I already got a response!

Dear Ms. xxxx:

The University acknowledges and reaffirms the University community's
right to gather and demonstrate in a peaceful and orderly manner for
the redress of grievances of whatever nature. The University also
affirms that the functions and proceedings of the President's Office
must remain free from organized or calculated confusion, disturbance
or delay in order to conduct its normal business functions. To this
end, rules, policies and regulations for the governance of public
property must be observed. The University will continue to allow the demonstration as long as the demonstrators follow the rules, policies and regulations that govern our University.

Thank you for taking the time to write me.

Sincerely,

Robert H. Bruininks
President

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7. Things got UGLY

At 6 o'clock, the police arrested the students inside the building. We heard about this, and figured they were going to bring them through the tunnels. So, the press is there, and everybody is running down to the garage to get underground to try to stop the arrests, about 100 of us, probably. The CBS guy is yelling "things are getting chaotic here" and I see the live feed on a nearby TV of everybody yelling. We get to the tunnels, and the police are there, blocking us, and we told them that we know that they are doing what they think is right, but so are we.

Two kids were maced, and they looked terrible.

There was a little confusion. One guy from our group shouted at a police officer as she was driving away "have a good work day?" and she gave us a thumbs up. Arrogant bastards.

Everybody has to e-mail the president [email protected] and tell him about his use of excessive force on students merely wishing to get back to the democratic process (all the planning for the closing of GC was done behind closed doors, out of the public eye). Some group members are camping out in front of the jail in downtown (at 5th street and 4th avenue).

Tomorrow at the U, at Northrop Mall, there will be another ally at 11 AM, and there should be another one at 5.30 PM, for anybody interested.

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8. press release from GCTM

University arrests nine students after a day of Protest

Students pledge to stop the University from dismantling General College



Wednesday, May 4, 2005 (7:00pm)

GCTM Media Line: 612-991-4158



Nine students were arrested at 6:00pm today after a day of protest at Morrill Hall at the University of Minnesota. Students sat in the President’s office to demand that President Bruininks first, remove General College from his so-called “Strategic Positioning” plan and, second, open up the process to wide participation.



A crowd of two hundred supporters rallied outside while the arrests were underway. The peaceful protest faced a violent police response. The police used mace on two students and donned riot gear.



“These are the students who care most about the future of the University and Bruinincks just wants to shut them up,” said Odessa Cegers, General College student and mother of two.



Protesters have been taken to the Hennepin County Jail. Students, organized as the General College Truth Movement, plan to continue their actions in the following days.

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9. we had 60 people this morning

we're having another rally tonight at 5.30.


i am camping out in front of IMMorril hall tonight, along with many others.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

10. It's not just GC

or, as preciousdove said in the other post, that dental care for the poor has been eliminated.

Those by themselves would be bad enough. It's that tuition at the U is now up to $265 a credit PLUS "fees." That makes tuition for a full-time student at least $6000 a year.

By the way, this is twice the tuition charged in Oregon, which is supposed to be so stingy with its education funding.