Student activists at Howard University are demanding that the school disarm its police force and create an “investigative body of students” to evaluate offensive language.
The demands come in the wake of a financial aid scandal that resulted in six employees being fired for allegedly pocketing about $1 million in excess tuition funds over a period of nine years.
“The investigation found that from 2007 to 2016, University grants were given to some University employees who also received tuition remission,” university President Wayne Frederick explained in a statementlast week. “The audit revealed that the combination of University grants and tuition remission exceeded the total cost of attendance. As a result, some individuals received inappropriate refunds.”
“The investigation found that from 2007 to 2016, University grants were given to some University employees who also received tuition remission,” university President Wayne Frederick explained in a statementlast week. “The audit revealed that the combination of University grants and tuition remission exceeded the total cost of attendance. As a result, some individuals received inappropriate refunds.”
According to News Fix, the student group HU Resist issued a list of demands in late March, claiming that the university administration has been careless with its financial practices.
“We are trying to transform this institution,” a Howard student protester, Juan Demetrixx, told the publication. “We want to spark a national campaign where students all across the nation start to build a movement where they democratize their own institution.”
Last week, the students staged a protest at the school, occupying the university’s administration building and vowing not to leave until their grievances are addressed by Howard officials. The students remained in place as of Thursday afternoon, marking eight days since the occupation began, HU Resist tweeted.
According to the list of demands published by HU Resist, the students want the university to implement several changes “in order to transform our institution into a democratic, Black University that acts as a safe-haven for all Black students.”
Read the rest at: Disarming Police
