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SESJ takes over Dennison's office
Students say they will remain until DSP is signed
Students do a “sit-in” in President George Dennison's office at 12:30 p.m. today. The “sit-in” is part of a protest against the University's use of clothing possibly produced in sweatshops. The students plan to stay in Dennison's office until he or Vice President Jim Foley agree to sign a licensing code that would limit the amount of apparel from sweatshops. (Hugh Carey / Montana Kaimin)
Story by Mark Page | April 16, 2008
Montana Kaimin
Nine members of Students for Economic and Social Justice barged into University of Montana President George Dennison’s office at noon on Wednesday and refused to leave until the University signs an agreement with the Designated Suppliers Program.
Kendra Kallevig, a member of the group involved in the sit in, said they are prepared to be in there for days if necessary. Dennison is traveling in Asia and will not be back until Friday, but Kallevig said, “We can wait until Dennison returns.”
The Designated Suppliers Program is an agreement between the University and the Worker’s Rights Consortium to only buy garments from suppliers who adhere to an acceptable standard of worker’s rights, including the right to collective bargaining and a livable wage.
UM Public Safety Director Jim Lemcke was on the scene, but not in an official capacity. The police had not yet been called, and no action was to be taken to immediately remove the students.
Katie Pritchard, a spokeswoman for SESJ, said the students may be removed at 5 p.m. when the building closes, and are prepared to be arrested having had “know your rights” training.
“They’re prepared for it,” she said. “All of these guys are good students, they’ve gotten their (school) work done in advance.”
She said this action has been planned for two weeks, and is happening in conjunction with two similar actions earlier this week at Appalachian State and Penn State. At Appalachian the students stayed in the office for three days until they were removed and arrested. At Penn State the students were removed at 5 p.m. when the building closed.
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Comments
Why is it that SESJ can never get these protests together when Dennison is actually in his office?
Keep it warm for him folks.
Posted by Jacoby Baker on 04/16/2008 at 2:36 pm
Maybe this says more about the amount of time Dennison spends in his office than the timing of SESJ, Jacoby, ol’ chap....
Seriously you’d think this guy is a federal diplomat when you consider how often he’s not around, but instead off carousing in some far-off corner of the world.
Posted by Charles Copeland on 04/16/2008 at 2:44 pm
I guess the fine folks as SESJ did not take the hint when I said—quite some time ago—that childish, baby protests like this are ineffective in negotiating and discussing with UM’s administration.
Congratulations. You have made fools of yourselves. Good luck having your side taken seriously in any future debate on the subject.
Posted by Fred Stapleton on 04/16/2008 at 4:38 pm
Fred- and what what weight do you carry that would justify SESJ giving even 30 seconds of consideration to anything you say?
What group or interest do you represent that might be wise counsel to their decision making? The Montana Association of Keyboard Commandos?
Posted by Charles Copeland on 04/16/2008 at 5:01 pm
The group that has seen reactionary, stupid protests like this come and go, and seen their causes marginalized and mocked for not bringing anything to the table but baby snit-fit cry whiner protests.
Boo hoo hoo.
Posted by Fred Stapleton on 04/16/2008 at 6:42 pm
And by the way, what weight does SESJ carry to influence the administration when its seen all of its pet causes defeated because --- and wait for it, here it comes --- nobody takes them seriously because they have a knee-jerk reaction to have stupid protests rather than discuss matters like adults.
Cause-happy hippies strike again. Grow up, children.
Posted by Fred Stapleton on 04/16/2008 at 6:45 pm
Hey SESJ,
Let’s get real shall we. I’m with you on the DSP. Should the University sign the damn thing and make sure that our apparel companies aren’t enabling slave labor? Of course!
However it is painfully clear that your tactics are not doing a damn thing to make that process come along. While I will agree that your efforts today are better than the ‘Dance In’ that you staged previously this is still a wasteful and damaging effort for your cause. You should have seen how that effort did nothing for your worthy cause and sat down and worked out a new plan of attack. This is not the right move.
Let me also add that it is foolish to be mad at the President of the largest university in the state for not being around. The guy has a million people every day trying to get just a minute of his time. He has to see over every aspect the university. We may not always agree with Mr. Dennison but at a basic level you have to have a certain amount of respect for the fact that he is a busy guy.
Posted by Jacoby Baker on 04/16/2008 at 8:18 pm
It’s too bad the administration can’t follow the lead of 42 other universities and sign on the the DSP.
Posted by Timothy O'Brien on 04/16/2008 at 8:33 pm
Just to clarify- after the dance-in last year the University of Montana affiliated with the Workers Right Consortium which was the first step of the program. So its kindof unfair to say their tactics are “ineffective.”
Posted by Jamee on 04/16/2008 at 8:36 pm
Please, Jacoby, Fred, no more “intellectual” remarks about ineffective tactics--your ignorance is embarrassing. Although it seems that if you took your abundance of diplomatic knowledge out of your pretentious asses you might be able to do something positive with it.
What SESJ is doing is highly commendable, and represents the right to a sense of dignity in this world.
Posted by Shannon Kuhn on 04/16/2008 at 9:10 pm
For all those who claim that SESJ’s tactics are ineffective I would offer one suggestion: take five seconds to do some research before posting your opinions. Last year, the UM affiliated with the Worker Rights Consortium following SESJ’s rally and dance-in. Obviously, these tactics worked especially well.
Throughout the past ten years students have forced their universities to adopt a number of policies that have greatly impacted the rights of workers producing their apparel. How did they do it? By engaging in exactly the same tactics that SESJ is being criticized for.
So, while you may not personally like their tactics, there is absolutely no question that these tactics work to move people with power.
In conclusion, I guess the only question is, what is more important: not annoying fred, or helping to ensure that thousands of workers producing for the UM earn enough to support their family. I am going to have to say that I would rather annoy Fred. I’m glad that SESJ agrees with me.
Posted by Zack on 04/16/2008 at 9:21 pm
You’re not annoying me, morons. You’re annoying the decision-makers at this school.
See how well that works for you on the “COKE IS KILLING INNOCENT LATIN AMERICANS” line you guys love to parrot over ... and over ... and over ...
Yawn. You guys are a joke so funny I forgot to laugh.
Posted by Fred Stapleton on 04/16/2008 at 9:38 pm
Fred, I think the only ignorant reactionary is you. You obviously have no clue as to what you are saying. Your remarks are entertaining as to how incredibly ill founded they are. Go ahead; post some entertaining reply… its fun to annoy you.
Posted by Jake Childers on 04/16/2008 at 10:47 pm
Fred-
Since you seem informed enough about the Coke controversy to make the decision that it’s all ridiculous, perhaps you could fill me in on its finer points.
Please, without a Google search, could you tell me the specific issues discussed in regards to the Coke contract? “Innocent Latin Americans” is rather general and doesn’t do much to showcase what I’m sure is your thorough knowledge of the issue.
Posted by Charles Copeland on 04/17/2008 at 2:12 pm
