SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) officials have postponed indefinitely a job fair scheduled for Jan. 31, citing safety concerns.
Since 2005, student anti-war activists have demonstrated against the military recruiters who participate in the fairs. Protesters have also disrupted other campus events.
According to officials at the Office of Student Affairs, some of the protesters have pushed the boundaries of “civility and safety.” Administrators say the activists’ past behavior included pushing, spitting, verbal threats and throwing fruit at the recruiters.
Campus administrators have planned a public forum, which is scheduled for Jan. 25, and will cover activism and its impact on the school.
UCSC is also revising its policies and procedures so that the targets of the protests will be safe.
The postponement was partially prompted by a student protest outside an Oct. 18 board of regents meeting. What exactly happened is subject to debate. Protesters said the campus police attacked them with batons and pepper spray for no reason. School officials say that although pepper spray was used, law enforcement acted appropriately.
Officials say other incidents have resulted in the injury of a staff member and the slashing of tires. Reportedly, rocks have also been thrown at a military van.
UCSC officials cannot bar military recruitment on campus because the school will lose its federal funding.
