More than 200 students, joined by faculty and administration, gathered in the Quad for the second meeting of the Student Equality Commission this semester.
The meeting went on despite recent allegations that Collins Phillips violated the Code of Student Conduct in an SEC meeting last week.
Phillips said he could not comment on the recent sanctions but warned students they could receive similar repercussions for questioning administrators as he did.
“They just don’t like that we’re complaining,” Phillips said. “It’s just that simple.”
Walter Bridges, mass communication sophomore and member of the SEC, is finding himself in a similar situation.
Bridges received an e-mail similar to the one Phillips received from Katrice Albert, vice provost of equity and diversity, requesting an “urgent meeting” by the end of the week, but Bridges said he refused to comply out of respect for Phillips.
Bridges and Albert engaged in a series of e-mails from Jan. 26 to 31 that highlighted the rising tension between students and Albert.
In the e-mails, Bridges asked Albert when the AACC would return to normal operation – the AACC has been operating under restricted hours since the coordinator position has been vacant.
Albert responded in the e-mails that the hiring process takes time.
She added that she heard students were being encouraged to “clog our e-mails,” referring to the e-mail accounts of Albert and Chaunda Allen, director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs, and she “would not recommend that approach.”
Bridges then responded that the process should not “drag on and leave the AACC and students neglected.”
“I am sorry if some honest questions from the student body inconvenience you,” Bridges wrote. “I thought the students were the priority here at LSU, but maybe I was misinformed on that one as well.”
Bridges received his first notice on Tuesday to make an appointment for a meeting with Albert, but Bridges responded that it would be unnecessary.
Albert then responded that Bridges must have misunderstood because it was not an optional meeting.
Bridges maintained that he would not meet with Albert.
“After what you did to Collins, I have nothing to say to you,” Bridges said. “You have committed an injustice that is unspeakable. I have no desire to meet with you at this point. Ms. Albert, you have neglected your own people.”
Albert responded with a third request for a meeting, which resulted in a third decline from Bridges.
“I believe that I still have rights to the First Amendment. God bless America,” Bridges wrote.
At yesterday’s meeting in the Quad, Bridges said he will not meet with Albert, but he would be happy to answer any of her questions via e-mail.
“I have no reason to meet with her if she’s the one that put the charges on Collins,” Albert said.
Derrick Petit, political science junior and SEC member, said the SEC tried to schedule a meeting with Albert to discuss their issues before the first Quad meeting Jan. 25, but Albert cancelled because she said there was no need.
Petit said the SEC made a request the first week of the semester, and the meeting was scheduled for Feb. 1, but Albert cancelled Jan. 23.
Eric Reid, assistant director of the Office of Parking, Traffic and Transportation, said he came to the meeting yesterday to “support freedom of speech.”
“As far as [Phillips’] being a student, he has a right to express concerns,” Reid said. “For him to get these charges is bogus.”
Reid said he thinks there must be more appropriate ways for the University to handle the situation.
In his speech in the Quad, Phillips said he would not discuss the alleged violations, but he encouraged students to read the sanctions charged against him. SEC members passed out copies of the letter from the Office of the Dean of Students outlining the violations.
“Read those sanctions and think about the First Amendment,” Phillips said. “Think about what people want you to say, against what you believe you should say.”
Phillips told students not to fear that their actions would result in similar sanctions.
“If they do, fight it, because I am,” Phillips said.
 
Contact Rebekah Allen at [email protected]