After successfully setting up an overnight encampment, Occupy SFSU held its first general assembly late last night at SF State.
The general assembly voted through majority rule on encampment rules, which are as follows: no smoking, no littering, no use of drugs or alcohol, no violence against another person and no defecating and/or urinating.
Occupiers gathered in front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center to discuss encampment procedures and proposals to fight tuition increase.
“I’m under no illusion that CSU trustees are going to see this and reverse the tuition increase, but at least I’ll get to know the people that I went to school with and fought for the right to higher education,” said Spanish major Sam Vasquez, 23.
Occupy SFSU set up roughly 8 tents outside of the Cesar Chavez Student Center for the few dozen students that decided to spend the night.
“This is my first time being a part of an overnight encampment,” said history major Alexander Day, 23. “Right now there is a sense of continuity and I know this will be able to promote a global movement.”
Although a few patrol cops showed up at night and a gust of wind blew a tent away, the encampment survived the night without eviction.
Joseph Greenwall, Office of the Associate Dean of Students and Director of Leadership, Engagement, Action, Development, said that he has attended Occupy SFSU general assemblies before and hopes to continue communication with the students.
“I think that the movement is inspiring, not only because of what it’s done so far but because of its potential to express the hopes and dreams of its generation and future,” said grad student Nick Occhipinti, 31.
According to Occupy SFSU, occupiers plan to stay in their encampment until the end of the fall semester. Once winter break approaches they will reassess the situation and will consider staying over the break.
“If we do leave, it will be temporary but we will be back with a vengeance. Everyone deserves the right to free, quality education and Occupy SFSU will not rest until we succeed,” said criminal justice major Lalo Gonzalez, 22.