Chancellor not present, students initiate sit-in for demands to be met
Rachelle Neshkes, an alumna from the UCLA School of Law, sits outside Murphy Hall at the conclusion of the march showing her support. Most demonstrators left, however, a number of students entered Murphy Hall in hopes of setting up a meeting with Chancellor Gene Block.
By Carolyn McGough
Sept. 24, 2009 1:22 p.m.
The UC-wide march came to a halt today just around 1:25 p.m. outside of Murphy Hall, where university police blocked a swarm of students, faculty and workers from entering the building.
A stream of protesters, originating in Bruin Plaza at noon, marched through an otherwise calm North Campus as bystanders looked on and listened to the chanting, shouting and clapping.
The protesters called “Boo!” in front of Murphy Hall upon hearing the news that the chancellor was not present.
Cliff Fried, a staff research associate in the Jonsson Comprehensive Campus Center, said he’s been at the university for 42 years and has yet to see the chancellor at a protest.
“I’ve been doing this for 11 years,” Fried said, referring to attending walkouts, marches and protests, “and the chancellor has never once been present.”
It was soon announced by Bob Samuels, the president of the University Council-AFT and a lecturer in the Writing Programs, that a staff representative in the chancellor’s office would instead be able to listen to student, faculty and worker demands.
Undergraduate Student Association Council External Vice President Susan Li and Academic Affairs Commissioner Layhannara Tep were allowed into the building, among other student and faculty representatives.
A smaller group of students made its ways through side entrances and initiated a sit-in until its demands are met.
Alejandra Cruz, a third-year law student, spoke in Bruin Plaza at the beginning of the walkout. Cruz was also present at the sit-in, and she said approximately 60-70 students were present.
She said that those present at the sit-in are demanding two things: one, that the chancellor set a date for a public forum at which students can voice concerns; and two, a more private meeting for faculty, union and student group representatives.
Attendees of the walkout and march have hopes of voicing discontent with recent fee increases, budget cuts and faculty furloughs. Crowd members and leaders of the protest voiced their opinions loudly, clapping, shouting and generally making noise. They chanted, “Furloughs? Hell no!,” and “Hey, hey, ho, ho; Chancellor Block, come say hello,” among other rallying cries.
University police Sgt. Russell McKinney estimates 400 attendees, most of whom tapered off just after 2 p.m. when it was announced that the chancellor was not present and that a future date would be set to meet with him.
