Let's make a deal

SCC, Michigamua must settle differences

One month ago today, the Students of Color Coalition launched this year's most dramatic student activism campaign when they surprised the University community with the takeover of the Union tower, the meeting room of the now notorious secret society Michigamua.

Yet one month later, sounds of drumbeats and speeches still emanate from the tower - the SCC members haven't budged. A resolution is long overdue, and barbecues on University President Lee Bollinger's front lawn will not get the SCC there. But the month-long occupation is a shared responsibility and reflects poorly on all three parties involved: Michigamua, the SCC and the University administration.

The stalemate is apparent: Michigamua wants hold onto their name and claim on the tower; the SCC wants them to forfeit both. While Michigamua has expressed a desire to discuss these issues and SCC has recently begun preliminary talks, neither side shows any side of caving. Some SCC members sacrificed spring break and even enrollment this semester in order to stay in the tower, making their hold on the room seem infinite, but an end to the drama is needed. Publicity should not be confused with progress, and the SCC needs to bargain - as does Michigamua. The administration has acted meekly by not removing either the SCC or Michigamua from the tower. Bollinger's e-mail to the University community and formation of a group to study space allocation barely qualifies as action. The SCC is angry at the administration's apparent indifference, but they have not had success in dealing with the administration, a problem both sides need to address.

Michigamua, the SCC and the administration need to stop posting passive-aggressive statements. They need to put aside their differences, meet immediately, and not leave the meeting until a resolution can be achieved.