By Andrea Picou, Staff Writer

Published in print Oct. 29, 2014

A series of protests organized by NC Student Power Union took place at UNC-Greensboro, UNC-Chapel Hill UNC-Charlotte and N.C. State. UNC-Greensboro had a walkout at 1 p.m. on Friday, and students converged on the EUC lawn to voice their concerns.

Protesters were encouraged to skip class, or ‘walkout’ in protest of the recent direction the UNC system has taken.

Students protested the increasing cost of tuition and fees, and the increasing difficulty they have staying financially afloat. Students were joined by community and faculty members, who also spoke about ways they feel UNC-Greensboro and the educational system as a whole, is problematic.

Students spoke about the specific grievances they have, and occastionally someone would lead the crowd in chants.

Aaron Bryant, the president of UNC-Greensboro’s chapter of the Student Power Union, began by speaking about his personal experience. Bryant said, “ I am 25,000 dollars in debt. The chance of me paying it off is zero, and I’m not the only one.”

He went on to tell the crowd, “Education should not be debt sentence!”

Gray Williams, a co-chair of UNCGreen pointed out that the government will profit 100 billion off of debt in the next ten years. He also said that 67 billion would be enough to provide free education, and 82 billion is how much is spent on financial aid.

Branden James, a junior studying graphic design, attended the protest. He said, “I agree with the message. Getting an education to improve yourself puts you in a deeper hole.”

Elizabeth Keathley spoke about the recent staff controversy, “Several of our colleagues, two in University Relations, are being charged with 22 felony counts for obtaining property by false pretense, and falsifying time cards.” She said that “the charges were trumped up” and mentioned that Chancellor Brady is resigning after faculty spoke up about the issue.

A student stood up and said. “Putting a price on the transfer of knowledge is archaic.” He went on to say, “There is power in knowledge, and in using your voice, feet, and body to stop oppression.”

Bulent Beduz got his Master degree and then taught at UNCG and is a part of the Glenwood community. He told the crowd, “When I started University in 1964, an out-of-state student paid $247 for tuition and fees. The cost of education today is outrageous.” He continued, “University has ceased to be University, it is now a corporation. You the students are the cash cows. Apathy will further corporation mentality.”

In between the impromptu speeches, Bryant would yell “What does democracy look like?” and the crowd would respond, “This is what democracy looks like.” Protesters also chanted “Debt free UNC!”

Bryant commented on the walkout stating, “We want a freeze in tuition fee increases, democratization of the Board of Governors to include more student input and more funding to all academic facilities. You know, a good education.”

Keathley said about the protest, “The UNCG tuition committee recently voted to support a 5% tuition increase, 60% to go to faculty salaries, 25% to student financial aid and 15% to more advising.” She believes that faculty salary increases are overdue, but recently administration has had pay raises and have added more positions to payroll. She also said, “The budget for the Chancellor’s office has increased considerably during that time. Rather than put more burden on the students, I would like to see more of the funds allocated by the state used to do

what our primary mission is here: teaching the students!”

The protest began at noon, with about fifteen people in attendance. It grew to around forty, and passersby were clearly supportive. Some cheered along with the crowd, yelled out their support of the signs protesters were holding and gave high fives.