Day three: The standoff between Ohio State University administrators and students rages on.It seems as though they are inexorably pitted against each other on this issue, and it is likely that a resolution to the protest of the restructuring of the Office of Minority Affairs is not imminent.In one corner, wearing scarlet and gray trunks, we have the OSU administration: Student Affairs and Minority Affairs. In the other corner, wearing the red, green, yellow and black trunks, we have student minority protesters.The ultimate fight is arguably about one of the most important constructs on our campus – power. Monday night, dozens of students spent the night on the second floor of Bricker Hall directly outside the office of OSU interim president Richard Sisson. The protest was initiated by the Afrikan Student Union, who maintains that the restructuring:

  • done by a temporary vice-provost is not proper when a newly appointed vice provost and university president are about to take charge
  • is harming units, services and staff essential to black student development
  • has neither invited nor allowed the participation and input of the very students it affects

While trying to maintain some semblance of journalistic integrity, I have tried dearly to understand both sides.Yet, what do you do when the vice provost for minority affairs tells “her” students that a 12:30 lunch date is more important than hearing their concerns? I say, you’d better start brown-baggin’ it. It’s gonna be a long day.How should students respond when doors are slammed in their face for asking questions to which upper level university bureaucrats have not yet prepared answers?And why is someone in a temporary position making permanent decisions about the lives of many OSU students?Speaking as a public relations student, the university’s first mistake was letting this drag out an extra day. The request Monday from protesters was only to have a meeting to discuss the plan. That was pushed back until Tuesday.Tuesday, after about a 30 minute delay, university officials met with 7 representatives of the Afrikan Student Union and protesters.The uplifting chanting of the hundreds of voices, hand claps and foot-stomps filled the entire first and second levels of Bricker Hall during the meeting. And, the support was felt by negotiators.After the meeting, protesters were informed that administrators would not halt or delay the restructuring of the OMA. Some felt that their decision was already made and the meeting was merely formality. Yes, it seems that this student protest may soon be a lot more than OSU administrators will want to handle.Once again, people at grassroots levels suffer because of a decision made by the powerful, who are often very removed from the situation which they try to address.Furthermore, climbing the chain of command will soon become an even greater task for minorities if the restructuring is implemented – with the creation of yet another position between OSU “movers and shakers” and “real” students.The administration has responded poorly by not even performing the usual public relations song and dance and acting like it doesn’t care. More troubling, lack of action further thrusts them deeper into a mutually harmful relationship with OSU students.All we want is a voice. One thing that I have learned in my 21 years of life is that it is futile to design a program for people without direct input from the group you are trying to help. The “input” is on the second floor of Bricker Hall. Is anyone listening?But the question is, whose interests are really being protected here? It is clear to me that students do not have enough of a voice on this campus, especially when it comes to diversity. Little has been done to produce measurable results and address real issues minorities face daily. Although my conservative tendencies try to sway me occasionally, I am an advocate of peaceful protest. And with regards to this restructuring of the OMA, I firmly and openly endorse any and all protest…by any means necessary.

Michael A. Norman may be reached for comments or ideas at [email protected].