Occupy MSU / Tent State University

From Monday April 16 to Friday April 20, Montclair State University's chapter of Students for a Democratic Society hosted a week-long occupation on their Student Center Quad.

The setup began Sunday evening as SDS members put up their first tents preparing themselves for a entire week of activism to raise awareness of real issues that affect higher education: tuition hikes, student loan debt, lack of state funding, lack of administrative transparency, student rights on campus etc.

Day 1 of the encampment

The setup of the occupation sparked the curiosity of the general public. Tents, signs, and banners were prominently displayed on the quad as students, faculty, and staff workers came up to the SDS table to receive free food, informational literature, button pins, and student debt stickers (HELLO, MY NAME IS ALDO AND I AM $10,000 IN DEBT). Students were also encouraged to call their state legislators to advocate for two Tuition Cap bills that are currently on the floor of the NJ State Assembly (A2464) and the NJ State Senate (S1569).

As SDS and other students camped out over night, the University Police Department (UPD) patrolled the area every night before midnight.  This was due to the administration’s pathetic little attempt to restrict the ability of the students to protest. Rules were imposed on the occupation such as only being allowed to occupy half of the quad and not allowing anyone to sleep inside tents. SDS and company slept outside of the tents instead, a hilarious loophole that was continuously exposed. Thankfully, the warm weather was on the side of activism.

Despite the restrictions on Freedom of Speech, Occupy MSU received positive media coverage for its protest: (Click)

-NorthJersey.com - Montclair State students join protest of education costs

-NorthJersey.com - Montclair State set for further expansion

-BaristaNet- Occupy Movement Reaches MSU

-BaristaNet - The Occupation Ends at MSU

-The Gadfly - Protesting the cost of higher education

-Montclair Patch - Occupy Movement Hits MSU Campus Today

-The Montclarion - SDS Occupies Quad in Tuition Protest

-The Montclarion Opinion Section - There's a Reason SDS is Occupying the Quad 

-SDS member Aldo Guerrero appeared on camera in News 12 New Jersey. Although it aired on TV, the footage is not readily available for online viewing.

-WMBC also showed up

-And finally, various student journalists and photographers came to observe as well.

Professor Samuels talking about MSU's Student Government

Throughout the week, teach-ins of various subjects were hosted by guest speakers. Here is a list of some teach-ins that took place:

-The Problems of MSU's Student Government by Professor Jack Samuels

-History of American Student Activism by CUNY Professor Angus Johnston

-Marginalized Groups in Progressive Movements by Femvolution President and SDS Member Leah Stone

-Fairness in the Economy by U.S. Senate Candidate for the Socialist Party Greg Pason

-Discrimination in American Law by S.P.E.C.T.R.U.M.S President Alan Akins

-Black Family Discussion by SDS Member Carlo Rossi

-NATO, War, & Imperialism by SDS Member Justin Wooten & Professor Grover Furr

-Animal Welfare 101 by Animal Rights Activist Constance Li

-Meditation & Non-Violent Resistance by Professor Maughn Gregory

-Progressive Music performed by Rutgers Student Christian McFarland

Leah Stone about to begin her teach-in about marginalized groups in progressive movements

The idea of Tent State University originated from Rutgers University who recently hosted their 10th Annual Tent State. Montclair State SDS, Rutgers, and Rowan University agreed to encamp in solidarity in an attempt to create a unified and powerful statewide voice that addresses the issues of higher education. It is time for the state of New Jersey and for the United States to treat higher education as a serious issue.

SDS was satisfied with Occupy MSU / Tent State University. Hopefully this will be an annual event that will serve to fight for a more just and accessible system of higher education.

Occupy MSU -- Coming Soon!

The occupation will begin on Monday April 16, 2012 with a tentative end date of April 20, 2012. 

Hardly a place for political activism, Montclair State University (MSU) will be having its very own on-campus occupation organized by the student organization, Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) and any other organization that decides to offer its assistance.

The purpose of the occupation is to raise awareness about the real problems that students face not just at MSU but all over the country.

Issues of concern include:
-Rising Tuition costs (Tuition makes up 51% of MSU’s budget and increased 2.5 times since 2000
-Student Debt (Will reach $1 trillion in April 2012)
-Lack of administrative transparency (Where does tuition go? Why do the corporations that sit on the Board of Trustees almost always make a profit from the changes being made on campus)
-Not being allowed to speak at Board of Trustees meetings (Why not? Even the student trustees are kicked out of the “closed” Board of Trustee meetings)
-Feeble student representation on political issues in: The Student Government Association (SGA), administrative decision-making bodies of the university, the state of New Jersey


In addition to protesting the lack of democracy within MSU, SDS will also be providing various forms of entertainment and hosting informative activities during the occupation.

These events include:
-Guest Speakers (U.S. Senate candidate Greg Pason and more!)
-Musical entertainment by various rock bands
-Teach-ins on various subjects (Student debt, civil liberties, etc)
-Workshops on meditation and guerilla art
-And much more!!

Some food, tents and other accommodations will be provided for the student population. Donations whether in the form of supplies or funds are greatly appreciated.

IN A NUTSHELL:
Who: The students of Montclair State hosted by Students for a Democratic Society.
What: The occupation of the campus.
When: Beginning the week of April 2nd.
Where: Montclair State University Student Center Quad.
Why: To protest the lack of democracy and student representation in Montclair State University and in the state of New Jersey.
How: Setting up tents and occupying for as long as we want!!!

Tweet #OccupyMSU

Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee meeting 3-13-12

The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee met at Montclair State University on Tuesday, March 13th to listen to public input about the 2013 proposed state budget from various organizations and individuals. 

I attended with 5 other students and spoke on behalf of New Jersey United Students (NJUS) about the dangers of student debt and the importance of accessible education for our future.

To read Dr. Cole’s remarks on my speech, go here. 

Below is the speech I gave: 

To the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee:

Hello, thank you for coming to Montclair State University and I appreciate you taking the time to listen to what I have to say. 

My name is Lisa Grab, and I am a student here at Montclair State University and the Vice Chair of New Jersey United Students. I am here today to speak on behalf of New Jersey United Students (NJUS). NJUS is a statewide coalition of students from public universities and colleges that represents students on issues such as student debt and tuition hikes. 

As you should know, student debt will reach one trillion dollars this April. William Brewer from the National Association of Consumer Bankruptcy Attorneys (NACBA) said: “This could very well be the next debt bomb for the US economy.” Student debt is significantly greater than credit card debt, and the student debt bubble is predicted to lead to the next recession. 

The decisions you make directly affect students and are a direct cause of the student debt crisis. The past few years, the state has not been helping students enough.  

I’d like to share a personal story with you. Although my experience is not the worst, almost all students can relate on some level.

When I was in high school, I always thought I would be able to afford my education. Now because of the recession, my two self employed, hardworking parents have given all they have to help pay for my education—and it is not nearly enough. Now, they sacrificed any hope of their retirement, and they’ve become slaves to their jobs just to survive. I am now all alone to pay for my education. 

The fact that I, along with millions of other students, have to pay back almost a trillion dollars in loans shows that our higher education system is a broken system. We, the students, are the future of the world. We are supposed to realize the values of America—equality, democracy, all of those nice words. But what do those words mean when students are gradating and entering the real world further behind than ever? What does the “American Dream” mean when lower income students are no longer able to consider higher education as an option? Society is basically telling them they are worthless. We need to change that, because we, obviously, do not think any student or child—regardless of race or class—is worthless.

As I briefly stated earlier, NJUS is a statewide coalition of students from public universities and colleges in New Jersey. We are living proof that students do care and are not passively apathetic to the governments’ decisions. The idea that students don’t care is only an illusion. It is true that not a lot of students are here today, but that is because many are busy working one, two, or sometimes three jobs to help pay for their education and living expenses. 

Funding for higher education is a public good and necessity for society. We will not stop until higher education is accessible to all. Knowledge is non-tangible and therefore should not be commodified. You cannot deny that students are the future. We should not have the burden of student debt--that previous generations have not had--clouding over our future. 

The less funding that is given to higher education, the less potential can be achieved for this nation. Taking away money from education is like taking away the cure to cancer, the thousands of new technologies that have yet to be discovered, or the solutions to our environmental crisis. Students are an investment. 

Thank you.