Students protested in front of Low over new rules of conduct
‘We demand transparency. We demand guaranteed hearings.’
Students from various activist groups at Columbia just held a protest on Low Steps.
They’re opposing the new official rules of conduct, modified on October 12, and specifically the fact that students can now be denied hearings.
They screamed: “We cannot stand for students being denied a vote.
“We demand transparency. We demand guaranteed hearings. We demand guaranteed open hearings.We demand meaningful protection for student activism.
“Students rights are under attack? What do we do? Stand up fight back.” Caroline Lee, a Sophomore at Columbia College and a member of the activists groups ‘Columbia Divest for Climate Justice’ and ‘Student Worker Solidarity’, said: “Rapists are guaranteed hearings but activists aren’t.
“The revisions were made in executive sessions that student had no access to.
“Students were not given a voice.”She added: “According to the bylaws, the minutes of those sessions will only be available in 50 years.”
Iliana Selazar-Dodge, a Senior at CC and also a member of ‘Columbia Divest for Climate Justice’ explained: “When the rules were modified last month, Caroline read them, carried out thorough research and compared them to the old rules.
“And after learning about the atrocities of the new rules, she decided to unite with other activists to protest”
Iliana further explained: “Students did receive an email inviting them to self-nominate to contribute to the UJB (University Judicial Board), and some were selected (the basis of that selection process remaining unknown).
“Meetings were held and students’ opinions were noted. However, the final decisions were carried out behind closed doors.”