2007 hunger strike

Tents set up on South Lawn for the hunger strikers

In November 2007, Columbia activists embarked upon yet another protest. Banking off several recent "bias incidents" involving racist and anti-Semitic symbols seen around campus, a group of students has gone on a hunger strike, and lassoed some vague and general demands into an agenda they hope they will coerce the administration into accepting.

General focus areas of demands

1. Administrative reform
2. Further expansion of Ethnic Studies
3. No expansion into Harlem (see Manhattanville expansion)
4. Core Curriculum reform

Participants

1. Bryan Mercer, 22, a senior at Columbia
2. Samantha Barron, 19, Barnard sophomore from California
3. Aretha Choi, 19, a Barnard sophomore from Colorado
4. Emilie Rosenblatt, 22, a Columbia senior from Illinois
5. Victoria Ruiz, 20, a Columbia junior from California

Supporters

Lucha and the ISO are among student groups offering support.

The strikers are also supported by some members of the faculty, notably Nicholas De Genova and Barnard PoliSci prof Dennis Dalton, who declared he would join the strike, but continues to consume water and juice. Anti-Columbia singer Nellie McKay is also an active supporter.

Timeline

• November 7: Started
• Nov 11: Choi drops out

Achievements

Columbia College dean Austin Quigley and Arts and Sciences VP Nicholas Dirks have tried to preempt the strike with announcements they're willing to make new administrative hires to represent diversity concerns, and have pledged further study regarding the status of the Core Curriculum. The Manhattanville expansion is so far not under negotiation.

References

• NY Sun
• village voice (blog)
• official hunger strike blog