Members of Students for a Democratic Society held a press conference on Monday in Free Speech Alley to announce that six of the seven students arrested at the presidential search committee meeting will face no disciplinary consequences from the university.
The students said they were told at their hearing that they will receive “informal resolutions.” This is a process where the university and students agree to resolve a conduct case through mediation or discussion instead of a formal hearing, without a disciplinary record being issued.
LSU junior Gabriela Juárez, who was the first student arrested and the only student sent to East Baton Rouge Prison, is still waiting to meet with university officials. Juárez was released on bond early Oct. 2 and has a bond hearing on Jan. 5.
“Regardless of the repression we face, we hold firmly to our demands so that students can have democratic control over their lives and the campus,” said Margo Wilson, president of LSU’s SDS chapter. “Again and again LSU administration makes decisions that harm the students, and this can only be stopped by putting the power back into our hands.”
The group said their two main demands are that students be included in the presidential search process and for a public apology from the university for what they [SDS members] described as mishandling of the students’ arrests.
“LSU is in the process of picking a new president and this decision is in the hands of people handpicked by Jeff Landry,” Wilson said.
Nine members of the committee have donated directly to Landry’s political campaigns, according to the Louisiana Campaign Finance Portal. A tenth, Ben Bordelon, since 2014 has been the CEO of Bollinger Shipyards, which has donated thousands to Landry. Another, Remy Starns, was appointed by Landry to the LSU Board of Supervisors and as the state’s top public defender.
Wilson also criticized the closure of Unity Field, a space used by traditionally Black Greek organizations and student groups.
“President Lee says this is a decision that is meant to keep the students safe but it is clear … this is just another way to chip away at diversity,” Wilson said.
LSU officials said the closure is intended to improve game day safety, but several members of student government have opposed the decision, saying it threatens student inclusivity and limits spaces for Black Greek and cultural organizations.
The group also reiterated its support for Juárez, who was arrested at the Oct. 1 presidential search committee meeting after exceeding her three-minute public comment limit and refusing to yield the microphone.
SDS members said they will continue attending LSU presidential search committees and Board of Supervisors meetings until students are formally included in the process.
