Dean of Students Terry Hogan pinky-swore disgruntled students that he would pass their concerns to the president.
Despite swirling snow and freezing temperatures, about 100 students came together Friday afternoon to promote free speech and protest the lack of shared governance at Ohio University.
Students for a Democratic Society organized the protest, which was pegged as a rally for the four varsity sports teams cut by the Athletic Department. It started at the Soldiers Monument on College Green and finished in a room in Baker University Center.
I thought it (the turnout) was great especially because it was a blizzard outside
said sophomore Joshua Russell, a member of SDS, which formed Jan. 11. I think we definitely sent a message to the administration.
The students put together a list of three grievances to present to President Roderick McDavis and asked for a response by 5 p.m. Tuesday. The first asked for a cease and desist of all threats against students who advocate free speech. The second demanded the right to free speech on all public grounds and not just in free speech zones, including at OU. The last expressed outrage over the administration's recent announcement of the Halloween guest fee and the elimination of four varsity sports.
Once SDS members, including Russell, had finished making their speeches, they marched to Cutler Hall to present their grievances to McDavis but were met by OU Police Department Chief G SDS sophomore Gui Guenther said. We are the students and we are speaking out on what they have done wrong to us.
After Hogan pinky-swore he would give their grievances to McDavis, the group viewed a presentation on progress with Vision Ohio, OU's strategic plan for the future.
I think the group was generally respectful
Hogan said. They are asking questions and are participating in the process by being here
so I think this is very good.
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Matt O'Donnell
