City College of San Francisco (CCSF) student activists stormed the main campus’ administration building on March 13 and staged an overnight sit-in, protesting against the school’s special trustee and the current student-payment plan.
The current payment policy at CCSF requires students to pay fees at the time of enrollment. A student’s class is dropped if the course fee is not paid within the registration period. Previously, students did not have to pay fees upfront.
Special Trustee Robert Agrella was appointed by authorities in August 2012 to oversee CCSF’s seven-member board of trustees. The board of trustees was later disassembled, giving Agrella full decision-making powers.
The incident at the Phelan Campus took place following an hour-long rally and march of more than 150 students, faculty and staff members, that ended in front of Conlan Hall, the administration building.
Protesters were stopped by about 10 campus officers in their attempt to enter the building. Overwhelmed by the number of protesters, officers called for reinforcement from the San Francisco Police Department (SFPD).
SFPD authorities, brandishing their batons, struck and brought down protesters in an attempt to stop students from entering the building.
Despite police attempts, about 15 students forced entry and about 20 students, staff and faculty members outside Conlan Hall staged a sit-in that lasted throughout the night. Protesters ended their sit-in around 8:15 a.m. on March 14.
Two students were arrested for their involvement in the melee—Dimitrios Philliou and Otto Pippenger. They were released the following morning, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed.
Philliou claims he was pepper-sprayed by an officer. He was taken away by ambulance.