UCSD protesters occupy building

A few dozen UC San Diego students vowed to occupy a campus lecture hall Monday night and beyond as part of ongoing protests against tuition increases approved by University of California regents last week.

“One of the best things you can do in activism is just be present,” third-year sociology student Andrew Mackay said as he contemplated spending the night inside Peterson Hall. “This is a physical statement that there are actual people who oppose the hikes.”

Mackay, who participated in the Occupy San Jose demonstration in 2011, said the protests planned for this week at various UC campuses are a way of keeping the issue about tuition hikes on people’s minds.

Regents approved a plan that will increase tuition by 5 percent each year for five years, unless lawmakers in Sacramento substantially increase the UC budget.

The hike would add $612 to the cost of attending a UC school, increasing tuition to $12,804 for in-state students in the 2015-16 school year. Tuition would rise to $15,564 by fall 2019 under the plan. That does not include local campus fees, books, room and meals.

While the regents said the plan is needed to stabilize the university’s budget, students at campuses throughout the system have protested the hike and said they were left out of discussions. Students at UC campuses in Berkeley, Davis, Ivine and Santa Cruz also are occupying buildings as part of the protest.

At UCSD on Monday, demonstrations began around noon with about 130 students chanting at Library Walk and then marching through the Price Center and into an administration meeting, which was quickly adjourned.

“Education is a right,” they chanted. “Not just for the rich and white,”

“UC, UC, you’re no good,” went another chant. “Teach your students like you should.”

At Peterson Hall, classroom disruptions were met with mixed reactions from students inside.

One demonstrator who marched to the front of a theater-style classroom told students through a megaphone that the university was no longer working for them.

“I’m trying to work right now,” the professor leading the class said. “And I’m telling you to get out of here.” Many of his students applauded.

By 6 p.m., about 20 students were settled into the large lobby of Peterson Hall, with just as many in an adjacent classroom.

A duo set up guitars and amplifiers to play for the occupiers, someone walked in with a large bag of bagels to share, and Sasha Victoria, a second year political science major, walked in with a blanket and a few cans of an energy drink.

“I want to stay as long as I can, unless I get really tired,” she said.

Mariko Kuga, a fourth-year literature and history student, said students participating in the occupation of Peterson Hall would hold workshops and discuss a list of demands.

Max Cotterill, a third-year public policy and history student, said he expects students will stay in the building until Wednesday before leaving for the Thanksgiving break. More demonstrations would continue after that, he said.

While the occupation was peaceful, some students passed around a “Do-It-Yourself Occupation Guide” that included descriptions of how to barricade doors, use bolt cutters and crowbars to enter buildings and use corrugated metal and trash cans as shields.