Thursday: A Long Day

January 20, 2012 7:40 pmKris Lovekin

Protesters and police in an uneasy standoff

Peaceful protest, while still allowing a Regents meeting .

It wasn’t easy to host a meeting of the UC Board of Regents, but the campus did successfully hold one.

The last time UCR hosted a UC Regents meeting, it was March of 2009 and it was a quiet affair, overshadowed to some extent by an inauguration for the chancellor.

This time, the numbers tell the tale. Several hundred protesters, nearly 200 police officers, three arrests, two people who will be charged with assault on a peace officer; nine officers and several protesters who suffered minor injuries over the course of a dozen hours or so. Thursday, Jan. 19, was a very long day for everyone involved.

In a letter to the campus community on Friday, UCR Chancellor Timothy P. White said, “The students have legitimate concerns about affordability and access to UC, as well as the quality of their educational experience. I share their deep concern and worry, and I along with so many others, am working daily to help find solutions.” He said he appreciated the restraint shown by the students, the police and by the regents in the face of a difficult situation. He also offered kudos for the hard work of the staff who organized every detail of food, transportation, facilities, safety and communications.

The press release has been issued and the pictures and the videos tell the tale. Is it too much to ask that the campus be allowed some time before we hold another one of these here?

Posted in Chancellor Tim White, Free Speech, Highlander Union Building, Regents Meeting

HUB to Close Early Tonight

January 19, 2012 5:28 pmRoss French

The HUB is going to be shut down early tonight. Students will still be able to buy food at Latitude 55 and the Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf.

Posted in Regents Meeting, Students

Chancellor Tim White Meets With Students Following Regents Meeting

January 19, 2012 5:23 pmRoss French

Chancellor Tim White meets with students following the Regents' meeting on January 19, 2012.

Chancellor Tim White listens to student concerns following the Regents' meeting on January 19, 2012. Shortly thereafter he took photos with the students before heading to the Bell Tower.

Chancellor Tim White takes a photo with a student near Costo Hall shortly after the departure of the Regents.

Video cameras were in abundance as Chancellor Tim White spoke to students after the Regents' meeting on January 19, 2012.

Posted in Chancellor Tim White, Free Speech, Students

The Regents have left the building

January 19, 2012 4:51 pmRoss French

Protesters gather during the Regents' meeting

There was another way out of the building, and Regents have left the campus. Police officers are standing down. A total of two protesters were arrested during a protested that lasted several hours.

Trying to counter some incorrect information that is out in social media.

Nothing on the Regents agenda was related to tuition.
Regents do not get paid for their service.
They meet six times a year. This was UC Riverside’s turn to host.

Posted in Free Speech, Protestors, Regents Meeting, Students

Protests Continue Following Regents’ Meeting

January 19, 2012 3:35 pmRoss French

Update at 3:34 p.m.
Protesters have moved to the loading dock area, estimated at several hundred students. Drums are beating. Chanting comes and goes. Police are lined in front of HUB in riot gear.

Sheriff's deputies, Riverside and UC Police stand near the HUB as protests continue.

Posted in Regents Meeting

Regents Meeting Comes to a Close

January 19, 2012 2:57 pmRoss French

The Regents’ meeting at UC Riverside has ended. More information to come.

Posted in Regents Meeting

Presentations Continuing in Regents Meeting

January 19, 2012 1:17 pmRoss French

Update at 1:31 p.m.

Regents broke for 15 minutes to grab lunch and are now back in session talking about Educational Policy. Outside, protest activity continues with several hundred people and police barricades. Police are asking the crowd to disperse.

Update at 1:12 p.m.

Susan Desmond-Hellmann, MD, chancellor of UCSF, is making a presentation to the Regents.

Outside the HUB, an estimated 300-to-400 protesters have gathered near Costo Hall. The size of the crowd has fluctuated as UCR students coming to and from classes have stopped to observe the events before moving on.