The campus experienced on Monday a pleasant break with the status quo: students teamed together to sacrifice their time and risk their freedom for the public good. Having such lovely news to report is a genuine pleasure for the staff of this paper after weeks of scandal.
Civility, camaraderie and cheer characterized the Brookings sit-in organized by the Student Worker Alliance on the sit-in’s first day. The protestors who packed the Admissions Office on Monday seemed enthusiastic despite the seriousness of their goal, a living wage for University employees. Whatever one thinks of the economic issues involved, their approach to the effort must be admired.
Indeed, SWA has offered us a model for appropriate student action. It is not interested in rude pranks, but in a selfless endeavor that is well-intentioned, well-planned and welcoming to all. This is doubtless one of the reasons that the group has attracted numerous students from outside their organization.
Although angry with the administration in the abstract, the members have made all conceivable efforts to cooperate with University officials in the details of their protest. They gave Admissions advance notice of their plans, and avoided complications with the University Police.
Much of the credit for this goes to Police Chief Don Strom, who gracefully accommodated them by working out rules that safeguarded both the security of Brookings Hall and the free speech of University students. While SWA members deserve commendation for their willingness to risk arrest, we praise them all the more for their readiness to work with authorities. Unlike some protestors, who unnecessarily antagonize authorities through their outrageous behavior, the sit-in participants have acted in accordance with the true spirit of non-violent resistance.
Let us not forget the admissions employees, who have graciously welcomed and interacted with their guests.
In short, this sit-in has reflected positively on the University community as a whole. We cannot forget that this is a protest, and as such represents a conflict of opinion between the administration and part of the student body. But it is a protest in style, one that reflects the high moral character and good nature of our students and staff.