While prospective students toured campus Friday, current Ohio University students, employees and Athens residents congregated in Scripps Amphitheater to protest budget cuts and Ohio Senate Bill 5.
Despite the rain, about 250 people marched across campus chanting phrases such as, “No ifs, no buts, no education cuts” as part of a protest organized by the Defend Education, Ohio! coalition. Organizers are pushing for increased student participation in the budgeting process and no rise in tuition next year, said Tyler Barton, a student leader of the coalition.
The protest began at noon with three speeches, including one by Julie White, associate professor of political science.
“I think the administration here would have you believe that with fewer teachers and fewer resources we’re still going to get quality education here,” she said.
When White asked the crowd if it thought this were possible, protesters responded with a resounding “NO!”
Dean of Students Ryan Lombardi, Student Senate President Jesse Neader and Vice President for Finance and Administration Stephen Golding also stopped by to hear the speeches at Scripps Amphitheater.
“The right to assemble is definitely … an important part of public education. It’s good to see people passionate about issues,” Lombardi said.
Following the speeches, attendees marched through College Green and East Green, stopping in front of Cutler Hall, home to the president’s and other administrators’ offices.
Protesters yelled in unison about education funding cuts as they marched and some held signs reading “Stand Up, Fight Back” and “This school needs another executive vice president like I need a hole in the head.” Other signs objected to athletics spending and Senate Bill 5, a bill that would reduce collective bargaining rights for public employees. The bill passed in the state Senate last Wednesday.
Jacob Jakuszeit, a former OU student, led the rally in front of Cutler Hall, starting chants such as, “It’s bullshit, get off it, this school is run by profit.”
About 75 protesters proceeded to march down Court Street after the rally in front of Cutler Hall. They then returned to College Green, marched past Baker University Center, through West Green and back to Cutler Hall via Richland Avenue.
As the attendees marched toward Baker, sophomore Katie O’Neill beat a drum and repeated, “Ain’t no power like the power of the people because the power of the people don’t stop.”
Other protesters joined in and continued reciting different chants as they marched, attracting attention from bystanders such as senior Angela Wince.
“I have absolutely no idea what to think about this,” said Wince, who is studying art.
“Less classes, less teachers and more students — how’s that going to work?”
Barton, a student organizer for Defend Education, Ohio! and senior studying chemistry, was surprised by the spontaneous march and called it “grassroots at its finest.”
Defend Education, Ohio! is organizing rallies and educational events in response to what its leaders call a “crisis in higher education,” which encompasses funding cuts and declining quality of education. Gov. John Kasich will release his biennial budget proposal March 15, and OU could take an estimated $27 million cut.
OU President Roderick McDavis was aware of Friday’s protest, said Becky Watts, his chief of staff. In response to protestors’ accusations that the administration does not listen to student opinions, Watts pointed out that McDavis holds open office hours and meets regularly with representatives from the student and faculty senates.
Members from Defend Education, Ohio! have tried unsuccessfully to speak with Ohio Sen. Jimmy Stewart about Senate Bill 5 and have not yet attempted to contact McDavis.
“I really don’t expect to have a sincere audience with the president,” Barton said. “I don’t expect him to take any of our suggestions seriously, but of course we would love to sit down with him, we would love to talk to him.”
Barton said “one of (his) biggest concerns” is that the movement’s energy will die out during spring break as students return home.
Defend Education, Ohio! plans to host an event April 22, which is a national day of action and falls on the same day as the OU Board of Trustees’ spring meeting. Organizers said they have not yet coordinated specific events for that day.
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