Staff Editorial:Whatever Happened to The Student Protest?

Early in September, hoards of angry students gathered around the Administration building, led by student leaders of Howard University Student Association (HUSA) to call attention to the issues plaguing them within their first weeks back at Howard following summer break. Campus was alive with the raw energy of a community ready for change - a change that would benefit every students currently enrolled at Howard and those in generations to come.

After the initial excitement of the student uproar wore off, students were presented with another issue. Whatever happened? What was the actual outcome of the student protest?

There was supposed to be another protest held following the first, wasn’t there?
It’s been nearly two months since the protest, and the only visible signs students have seen of actual progress was financial aid’s extended hours in the week following the demonstration and the subsequent purge date extension. So the big question is what happened to the protest?

After speaking with HUSA President Bryan Smart, we were able to get some answers as to what happened as a result of the student protest.

According to Smart, the second protest has not occurred simply because student leaders are currently working closely with President Ribeau and administration to address the issues of the students.

Apparently, the president and his office have been very receptive and responsive to the demands and suggestions of students. Besides the extension of the purge date and financial aid hours, the university released a bid for a new student dorm and a student fitness center earlier this month, as well as a major door replacement for nine different campus buildings. Also, a campus wide ADA-signage project has begun and should be completed by April 2010.

According to Smart, the student body has the attention of the administration in a way not seen in many years.

The protest was not about President Ribeau, but the issues that have been plaguing this university for decades.

Student leaders decided to take a stand and ensure that future students don’t have to go through the same things we have.

According to Bryan Smart, if nothing else was accomplished, students have gained the respect of every individual in the administration building.
 

2 comments

Your name

Sun Nov 1 2009 07:47

This is a good follow-up piece. Thank you.

Marlon Jackson

Fri Oct 30 2009 09:43

Struggle is a process. Protest is a vehicle. The process has not stopped and the vehicle is needing a tune up and an oil change. What part are you playing in the process. Thanks for bringing this back to the attention of your readers. You're doing your job. Instead of waiting for the process to fail so we can say, "look, they failed." We need to individually play a part in the process. Power is in numbers. I believe this story is still being written. Keep it alive.

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