University of Northern Iowa students organize 'study-in' outside executive offices

It's going to be a long week for some University of Northern Iowa students.

Several students say they plan to eat, sleep and study in the halls of UNI's executive offices to show their support for academics at the school.

The group of students started their peaceful "study-in" at 7 a.m. Monday.  With permission from UNI staff, they say they'll continue to stay in the building 24 hours until this Friday, March 9 at 7 p.m.

"We're not trying to be intrusive, we're not trying to disrupt academics, or the administration or students," says Ray Werner, a student organizer of the study-in.  "Mainly, we want to be a presence to show there are people concerned about keeping academics a priority at the university."

The students plan to spend as much time as they can in Seerley Hall, between classes and activities, to show their support for several programs on the chopping-block after UNI President Ben Allen announced roughly $5 million in cuts to the university.

"I care about learning," says Graduate History Student Richard Thompson, who's also participating in the study-in. "If we start cutting one or two of these programs, they all come under threat."

On Monday, a professor held a women's study class with the student protesters at Seerley.  Student organizers hope more faculty will follow in the days to come.

"It sends a message that everyone is concerned, " said Thompson. "The faculty is willing to come out in public and say it as well."

UNI spokesman Jim O'Connor says he knows the students will respect the building, and the staff.  He says the university is not fearful about the students staying inside Seerley 24 hours a day.

"We have tremendous students at UNI," O'Connor said, "They're here and making themselves known and talking about what their perspectives are, and we think that's phenomenal."

O'Connor says the building normally closes at 10 p.m.  He says UNI Public Safety agreed to check on the students throughout the night for their safety.

Student organizers say they don't want to be confused with Occupy movements across the country.  They say their goal is clear: They plan to end their study-in on Friday, and they say they will go peacefully if the administration asks them to leave.

"A lot of students have not been told what programs are actually going to be cut, especially at the undergraduate level," Werner says, "We're here to show them we care about them, their future, and the future of the university as an academic institution."