Protesters crowd Bollinger's lawn

By Tiffany Maggard

Daily Staff Reporter

After occupying the Michigan Union tower for 19 days and awaiting administrative action to meet their demands, the Students of Color Coalition took their concerns to a place University President Lee Bollinger couldn't ignore - his front lawn.

Last night more than 60 students crowded near the door of the President's Mansion, set up a grill and decorated the bushes with balloons, all in an attempt to talk one-on-one with him about their disapproval of the honor society Michigamua.

"Basically, we said in our petition that if our demands are not assessed in a reasonable amount of time, we'd take alternative measures," SCC spokesman Diego Bernal said.

An hour after SCC member Monique Gifford began pleading with a megaphone for the president to come out onto the lawn and participate in the barbecue, Bollinger casually walked out of his home and into the crowd with his dog Sierra.

Despite the shouting of the students, Bollinger said he didn't mind the disruption. "It's fine. It's nice to have students here," Bollinger said before contributing a few dollars to the SCC's funds to pay for their phone bills and tower living expenses.

Bernal persistently asked Bollinger to determine whether Michigamua is a regular student group or an organization that is an extension of the University because progress cannot occur until the distinction is made.

Bollinger said he recognizes Michigamua as a student group, although he does not consider it an extension of the University.

"I don't believe the administration or the University has embraced Michigamua as a special organization. I have said from the beginning that I think Michigamua is a student organization. I've been approaching this like Michigamua is a student organization," Bollinger said.

Bollinger said he believes it is the University's responsibility to confront the issue of space allocation but that SCC's demands must be resolved in a neutral and equitable manner, which would require the group to vacate the tower and participate in the resolution process.

SCC members also expressed concern that Michigamua may regain access to its seventh floor meeting space in the tower.

But Bollinger said depending on the outcome of a "due process" resolution, he cannot rule out that possibility.

Although SCC members said they want the University to address the issue of the space afforded to Michigamua, they also requested the University examine Michigamua's history, which they claim shows the University's willingness to support the existence of a racially offensive organization.

Bollinger said he is prepared to include an investigation into Michigamua's history along with the space allocation resolution process.

"We can't be deciding questions like these in this kind of context," Bollinger said. He said invading a group's property and going through their belongings would be infringing on their rights. Bollinger also said denying a group's existence because it is offensive to other students would be another violation of their rights.

But he encouraged SCC to work with the University and understand that the administration is working hard to comply with their concerns.

"You should give us a chance to do this - you have raised issues that are important. But you should give the University a chance," Bollinger told SCC members.

Last night, Michigamua spokesman Nick Delgado said, "the actions that occurred today - we're utterly speechless."

"These actions show that this is not about Michigamua. It's about a cause. It's unfortunate that it's risen to this level. It's self-promoting activism," he said.

Delgado said Michigamua is committed to doing whatever it can to start the resolution process.

SCC member Colette Routel, a second-year Law student, said she expects the SCC will remain in the tower through spring break.

SCC members said the probability of them leaving the tower depends on what the University presents them with.

"We've come to a standstill with the administration," Routel said.

Routel said lawyers representing SCC, Michigamua and the administration are expected to meet again today.

Bollinger said he recognizes Michigamua as a student group and does not consider it an extension of the University.

SCC members also expressed concern that Michigamua may regain access to its seventh floor meeting space in the tower.

But Bollinger said depending on the outcome of a "due process" resolution, he cannot rule out that possibility.

Bollinger said he is prepared to include an investigation into Michigamua's history along with the space allocation resolution process.

"We can't be deciding questions like these in this kind of context," Bollinger said. He said invading a group's property and going through their belongings is infringing on their rights. Bollinger also said denying a group's existence because it is offensive to other students would be another violation of their rights.