Students at Sarah Lawrence College have been following the events at the Kimmel Center closely and with concern.

We protest NYU’s unwillingness to recognize the student protesters’ actions as legitimate, negotiate with the protesters, and fulfill the protesters’ demands. It is inappropriate when an institution of higher education trains its students to be scholars of conscience and action, yet reserves for itself the right to determine when and how “robust dialogue” occurs between “students, faculty, and administration”*. As critical thinkers, we have a difficult time reconciling NYU’s purported pedagogy of “commitment to free exchange of ideas, reasoned debate, and legitimate forms of protest” with the distinctly authoritarian actions of the administration in recent days*. We feel strongly that current and prospective NYU students, their parents, alums and the general public experience that same dissonance.

We demand that the participants in the student occupation be granted full amnesty and that there be no change in their status as enrolled students.
In addition, we affirm the demands of the protesters and insist that the administration grant them in full.

As a Sarah Lawrence student, I stand in Solidarity with my peers at NYU during this time of extreme financial crisis and political upheaval, and strongly urge NYU to cooperate ethically with the critical mass and lifeblood of its institution.

in struggle,
Erick A. Paulino ‘11 and
Students at Sarah Lawrence College

RESPONSES:
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Dear Erick,
Thank you for your email. I am sure students at NYU appreciate your support. I have referred your email to appropriate representatives to address the substance of your email.
Jules A. Martin
VP NYU Global Security and Crisis Management
Department of Public Safety

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Contact:
NYU Spokesperson: John Beckman cell: 917-968-4942 jhb5@nyu.edu
James Devitt, Deputy director, at 212-998-6808, at james.devitt@nyu.edu, or on his cell 914-522-3774.

And dearest Michael, no I do not go to NYU, nor do I wish I did (wow, some serious pretentiousness! At this point I’m expecting your poop to smell like flowers), and no, I am not “one of those kids who love RENT.” You need to work on your stereotyping because you pretty much FAIL.

Agreed. I completely imagine that their “global”, narcissistic campaign will sputter within the month or march the latest. Take back NYU nor any of its allies have the ability to make changes, but they will continue to pester institutions that have no obligation to house them and grant the voice they claim to have.

TBNYU does not speak for NYU, even though their, “whose school? Our school!” banter advertises school wide support.

TBNYU’s allies should know that they are siding with a fringe group, who had to rely on miscreants from the New School and other non-NYU supporters to stage their “protest”.

And I love watching the video of those kids running away when they find out the cops have penetrated their beloved kimmel. How strongly you guys stand for your ideals! I’m glad you’re out of housing. We should send a student more deserving of such space - like university student from Gaza, who is seriously experiencing alot more oppression than you will ever understand - to take your place as residents AND students. NYU has no room for kids who think they can change the world by whining.

vanissa, how can you say this whole media circus was not an act of self-importance? Self-righteous students who think they’re doing us a favor by wasting our time and money and making the worst demands imaginable (like making bobst public for all? now I know you are out of touch with reality). and Post #3, don’t accuse people of siding with corporate America because in the end, we are ALL CONSUMERS. I know that must break your pseudo-Bohemian heart but by going to NYU and having mommy and daddy take out loans or shell out $50,000 a year, you are nothing but a sheep. Start thinking realistically about what we need to address, like budget disclosure. NOT satisfying your need to look like a martyr for the students, because in reality you are the butt of our jokes - and the root of the typical NYU student stereotype.