Rosenberg joins University community for open forum

By: Mariella Roque/Staff Writer

Occupy FIU held a Q-and-A session with University President Mark Rosenberg on the Graham Center lawn last Friday.

The event took place exactly two weeks after the group met the president in his office to discuss the on-campus arrest of seven of its members on Jan. 12.

“We’re here to propose solutions and address problems [such as] administration bloating,” said Alex Rosales, an alum with a degree in political science and sociology.

William Sanchez, a senior majoring in political science, explained that the movement wished to “raise awareness in the student body” and asked “for President Rosenberg to concede and accept a free speech campus.”

Students who wished to ask Rosenberg questions were allowed three minutes each via microphone.

“We want some change and we want it now,” Sanchez said.

Among the questions, students asked about rising tuition, the administrative salaries and the free speech zones designated around campus.

“There is free speech and academic freedom,” Rosenberg said. “We believe in [academic freedom] as long as it’s exercised responsibly.”

Regarding freedom of assembly on campus, Rosenberg said he would “soon have a response to that.”

As the rain began to pour down on the event, Rosenberg and students stood under a tent, to continue the session.

David Cordero, an environmental studies major and member of Students for Environmental Action, asked Rosenberg to adopt the Student Green Energy Fund, a $1 per credit fee that would go towards the goal of carbon neutrality at the University.

Rosenberg said he would be “happy to work with [the students] to get that dollar fee.”

Brian Peterson, a history professor and the only faculty member of the Occupy FIU movement, also attended the event.

“The goal [of Occupy FIU] is to create a democratic university that really cares for students,” Peterson said.

As the final question, Sanchez also petitioned Rosenberg to drop the charges against the persons arrested on Jan. 12.

“The answer is no… because I don’t have a role in that. . .” said Rosenberg. “Whatever the state attorney decides, we will live with that.”

“[Rosenberg] is saying it’s out of his hands, but he still has the power to condemn the arrests,” said Victoria Aguila, an alum. “He has to stop getting information from people that weren’t there.”

Before leaving, Rosenberg told Student Media, “[the session] met my expectations. [The students] are doing what they should be doing.”

Be the first to comment on "Rosenberg joins University community for open forum"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*