i am deeply concerned about what is happening right now at ucsc. while i appreciate the efforts and intentions behind a tent u, the students monday abused the situation completely.

if the idea is getting the school to listen to you, they did when they were FORCED to compromise and allow tent u to take place. the only limitation, which is very reasonable, was that because we are in a residential area, nothing can happen past 8 pm. if nothing else, i am disappointed in my fellow students for not considering the lives of families surrounding UCSC who cannot help what happens at our school, but have kids to take care of and get to bed. you probably don't remember, but elementary school aged children typically have bed times of 7:30 or 8 pm- well before all of these events had to take place.

for the most part i have been frustrated with the way the police have been handling the recent affairs. last week when i went to deliver 5 cases of water from costco at 2 pm to the strikers, they would not move the barricade so that i could drive the water up. instead i had to carry each case one at a time from the 7-11. fortunately, i came across some other supportive students who assisted me in getting this water to the strikers, but the manner in which the police treated me was very demeaning.

monday's events, however, are not like that of last thursday. there were limits set and the students decided to break them for no real gain. now we sit like irresponsible children who were given a privilege and a chance to be heard, but instead pushed their freedom and lost the respect and trust of those who need to be hearing us. now not only does the administration have the right to say "we gave you a chance and you ruined it," but i wouldn't be surprised to find out that neighbors of UCSC see the students and their cause in a negative light now, too.

it's a shame that all these upper-middle class kids come to college and suddenly think they have all the answers on how to change the world. the rebellion you never took on your parents is now being put on the university's shoulders. this isn't about fighting "the man;" that attitude is played out and doesn't work. if you want to make real change then read a goddamned book, get out in the city, meet people and figure out what they need.