This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Oxy College students occupy admin building in diversity protest
About 400 students occupying the Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center on Eagle Rock's Occidental College campus. They to camp out overnight.
(
Leslie Berestein Rojas
)
Students occupy the administrative offices of Occidental College on Monday, November 16, 2015.
(
Leslie Berestein Rojas/ KPCC
)
About 400 students occupying the Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center on Eagle Rock's Occidental College campus. They to camp out overnight.
(
Leslie Berestein Rojas
)
Echoing scenes from campuses around the country, about 400 students at Eagle Rock's Occidental College on Monday moved into the college's administrative offices in protest of what they see as unfair treatment of minorities on campus.
Occidental spokesman Jim Tranquada said the students entered the Arthur G. Coons Administrative Center at about 12:30 p.m. and were peacefully seated around the building. Many of the students said they plan to spend the night, and they appear to have brought supplies for their stay, Tranquada said.
A group that identified itself as Oxy United for Black Liberation issued a press release calling on school officials to meet 14 demands related to increasing diversity and representation at the school. The group has asked for a response by Friday.
"Amongst these demands," the press release said, "are the removal of Jonathan Veitch from his position as president, the creation of a Black Studies major, the hiring of more faculty of color, an increase in funding for campus organizations run by students of color, and the creation of a diversity training for faculty and students."
The protest follows a series of recent national protests at the University of Missouri, Yale and, more recently, Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, Calif., which ended in the dean of students' resignation.
pic.twitter.com/Y6BI1T8oet
— OxyUnited (@OxyUnited) November 16, 2015
Sponsored message
(Southern California Public Radio's president and CEO, Bill Davis, is a member of Occidental College's Board of Trustees.)
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive from readers like you will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
