Noon Monday marked the one-week anniversary for the Occupy EIU movement, which has grown from three members to 20 members. With three tents pitched along the Doudna walkway, graduate student Chris Wagner said it has been more than one week since he has slept in his bed.

On Oct. 17, Wagner and fellow graduate student Brendan Hughes began the Occupy EIU movement following the efforts of other Occupy movements in more than 900 cities worldwide, including other state universities. Wagner said one common goal of the movement is to protest the corporate involvement in politics and its effect on free speech.

For their second week, Wagner said there has been both positive and negative feedback from campus. One professor donated homemade lentil soup and bread, another supporter loaned a tent, and one student even donated artwork.

Wagner said the group accomplished its first unofficial goal by having at least one person present at their encampment at all times during the first week. However, Wagner said this was made possible by many personal sacrifices for those involved.

University safety concerns

For its second week, Wagner said a 24-hour presence may not be possible until the groups’ numbers grow. Although the camps may not be supervised at all times, Wagner said he does not have a strong concern for safety or vandalizing.

“We’ve told our members to make sure to keep their valuables at home,” he said.

So far, there has been no intervention from the administration or the University Police Department to stifle the movement.

Permits are not required for student demonstrations/protests, said Dan Nadler, vice president for student affairs in an email.

“As long as students do not obstruct the operation of the university including normal use of facilities all is fine,” he said.

Nadler said these are “normal activities” for a college campus and does not have any concerns for this movement having a negative effect on campus life.

University compliance has not been as favorable at other Illinois state universities.

On Oct. 19, the Department of Public Safety at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale officers cut the tarp being held by Occupy Carbondale protesters after asking them to remove their tents, The Daily Egyptian reported.

Rod Sievers, university spokesman, told The Daily Egyptian Occupy Carbondale was allowed to protest, but not allowed to camp out on campus.

Hughes said he is grateful this has not yet been the case at Eastern.

Students’ rights to assemble on campus are outlined in internal governing policy 157 of the Eastern student code of conduct.

Students have the right to freedom of speech, peaceable assembly, petition and association granted to all persons by the Constitution, according to the policy.

Reaching out to campus

organizations

On-campus groups have also begun to reach out to the group. Monday evening in the Charleston, Mattoon Room, Wagner and Hughes were invited to speak to the Black Student Union.

Andre Allen, a senior communication studies major and BSU President, said he invited Wagner and Hughes to help inform BSU members.

“I was hearing a lot of different propaganda and wanted to get the facts straight,” Allen said. “We wanted (BSU) members to be educated so they could make their own decision.”

Prior to the discussion, several students including junior economics major Brian Hannah, had not known about the “Occupy” movement.

Although he said he most likely would not join the protests, he said the discussion encouraged him to become more informed.

Laia Hill, a freshman BSU member, said she also did not know much about the movement prior to the discussion. She said she has a concern the group does not have a clear message.

Shelley Holmgren can be reached at 581-2812 or meholmgren@eiu.edu.