Kossacks, students at the New School need your support! Last night, 75 of them occupied part of the urban campus demanding the resignation of the university’s president, Iraq war supporter Bob Kerrey (in whom the faculty already voted no confidence earlier in the week). Their numbers have swelled to over 100.
They are also calling for the ouster of the school’s financial officers and demanding transparency as an unknown amount of the school’s funds have evidently vanished into some kind of "black box" investment vehicles. Student groups have only been told that there is no money available for student activities next semester. Others have diaried it here, notably athensohioan. The students themselves have a rough and ready site up here.
UPDATE: Students inside report that as of 7:30, ten minutes ago, the NYPD has started deploying cops in the Swayduck Auditorium, close to the occupied section but out of their line of sight.
This New York Times report has a few details about the seizure and occupation of the dining hall:
Large recycling containers and tables blocked doorways, and banners went up, some reading "Books Not Bureaucracy."
It fails to mention that the NYPD has been called in to bar supporters from other NYC campuses from entering to give support and reportedly roughed up and arrested a few who tried to go in. The students have requested support.
If you are in NYC, please come to 14th and 5th tonight at 10 PM, the usual time for the building to close. Bring video cameras or regular cameras if you can.
If you cannot make it, please leave individual or organizational messages of support for the students in the comments on this post. They will get the message.
As the economy continues to crater, can there be any doubt that hard-hit campuses will help set the pace of resistance? These kids deserve our support.