 "Photo: Charlie DeBoyace")
Student activists, still energized from a successful 600-person protest on the steps of the Main Administration last week, aren't giving up their crusade for more diversity, transparency and student representation in university policy decisions.
At a meeting last night, student leaders, united under the banner of a new coalition — Students Taking Action to Reclaim our Education — addressed more than 300 students, faculty and administrators in the multipurpose room of the Nyumburu Cultural Center, in an attempt to fan the flames of indignation ignited by the provost's decision to remove Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity Cordell Black from the position he has held for more than a decade.
After last week's march demanding Black's reinstatement, more transparency and a moratorium on all firings and mergers at the university, student activists said they need to keep the pressure on the administration until they adhere to their demands.
"We pride ourselves to hold all levels of administration to the core purposes of the university and matriculating all students in an environment of inclusion and critical thought as well as fostering active and engaged citizens," STARE's mission statement read.
In order to achieve their goals, student leaders encouraged attendees to rebel in small ways at last night's meeting. Some students planned to sit on the steps of the Main Administration Building between classes while others volunteered to "phone bomb," or relentlessly call, top administrators.
The group also laid out plans for another demonstration Thursday.
"We can do things that are large and ineffective, and we can also do things that are small and more effective," senior sociology major and STARE organizer Steven Swann said. "It's about working smart, it's about strategizing well. I think if we plan this well and we maintain focus on keeping people engaged, that's the truest part of any movement on campus."
During last night's meeting, Malcolm Harris, a student activist and columnist for The Diamondback, and fellow activist Jon Berger presented the crowd with statistics and budgetary information, pointing out furloughs, department cuts and mergers and speculation of tuition raises.
They called for heightened clarity in deciphering and translating the 900-page university budget document, making it accessible for students, as well as the release of additional budget materials.
"What we know is that there are more budget documents out there that we need to hold this administration accountable that we straight-up don't have access to right now," Harris said. "Students are being purposefully excluded from this process. What do we do about that?"
Attempts to contact Farvardin, who did not attend the meeting, were unsuccessful.
However other administrators, including Assistant to the President for Equity and Diversity Rob Waters, did attend.
During the meeting, five committees were formed to address outreach, messaging, direct action, organizing and education.
These subgroups will be in charge of spreading the word about STARE initiatives around the university, "decoding" the university budget, organizing events and communicating with other schools and media outlets.
While STARE is not officially recognized by the university, organizers said the group represents a unified push for "administration accountability."
"We need to lean the administration's game so we can play it better," Black Student Union Vice President Kalani Hillman said. "We are creating history right now."
hampton at umdbk dot com
is a member of the 
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Fiddle while Rome burns and workers --who are NOT TENURED FACULTY -- are laid off.
Black still has a job.
Worry about the laid off people who have NO jobs.
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