SANTA CRUZ, Calif. – University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC) officials were disappointed with the meager turnout for a recent forum held in response to a violent campus protest last year.
With a scant nine student attendees, “A Dialogue on Campus Activism” was organized to cultivate communication between UCSC officials and students. UCSC officials believe it was a breakdown in such communication that led to violence at an ill-fated protest of the UC Regents of last year on Oct. 18.
Students remain standoffish toward the university and its motives, citing the use of pepper spray in last year’s incident as a major point of contention. While campus police representatives maintain the use of pepper spray was justified under the circumstances, students contend they weren’t aware of the behavior required to elicit such force.
University officials say they remain optimistic future meetings will see better attendance and bring about improved channels of communication to avoid another violent confrontation.
