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Friday, October 28, 2011

Occupy Seattle Central Says It's Legal to Occupy the Campus

Posted by Dominic Holden on Fri, Oct 28, 2011 at 10:35 PM

With only one day to spare before Occupy Seattle moves to his campus, Seattle Central Community College (SCCC) president Paul Killpatrick says he consulted lawyers, thought long and hard, and met with protesters who promised to bring porta-potties. Then today he announced that—while he's worried about the protest's safety risk and "financial impact"—the campus occupation would amount to "lawful freedom of speech activities."

The background harks way back to Monday, when Occupy Seattle voted to move its nighttime base camp beginning on Saturday night to SCCC, despite Killpatrick's resistance. The college followed up two days later with a tepid open letter.

But Killpatrick's memo to the college's "campus community" today declares that the Washington Administrative Code (WAC) "as it is currently written, allows this occupation to take place."

Killpatrick's letter is after the jump.

TO: Campus Community
FROM: Paul T. Killpatrick, President
DATE: October 28, 2011
SUBJECT: Occupy Seattle Update

I would like to update you on the intentions of Occupy Seattle to have an encampment at Seattle Central Community College for their lawful freedom of speech activities.

Over the past few days, I have been in discussions with legal counsel, representatives from the community, city and state, and also with members of Occupy Seattle. In my discussions with legal counsel, we learned of ambiguity in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) as it applies to college property.

My primary concern remains the safety and security of our students, faculty, staff and surrounding Capitol Hill community.

Yesterday, I met with representatives from Occupy Seattle. They declared that regardless of college policies and college concerns, they intend to continue their action. While I remain concerned about a host of possible adverse impacts (personal safety, financial impact, etc.), the WAC, as it is currently written, allows this occupation to take place.

Occupy Seattle has assured me that they will not interfere with the mission of Seattle Central Community College, which is: “To promote educational excellence in a multicultural urban environment, and provide opportunities for academic achievement, workplace preparation, and service to the community.” They also offered a number of other assurances, including: providing porta-potties, garbage and recycling containers, protect college property from damage (graffiti, grounds damage, acts of vandalism, etc.,), self-policing their group, and not interfering or disrupting authorized events such as the Broadway Farmers Market or performances at Broadway Performance Hall. They also assure me that their activities will not interfere with the college’s ability to offer a safe learning environment for students, faculty and staff. I expect Occupy Seattle to honor these assurances.

Occupy Seattle’s intention is to begin their encampment on the South Plaza lawn beginning this Saturday, October 29. They informed us that they plan to continue their activities at Westlake during the day and camp at Seattle Central at night.

We will be monitoring the situation closely and will continue to keep the college community informed.

Comments (36) RSS

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Yay!

Posted by Baconcat on October 28, 2011 at 10:48 PM

Camping at SCCC in November. Living the dream...

Posted by Gern Blanston on October 28, 2011 at 10:53 PM

Sweet, 24/7 OWS party on the hill! They should definitely do more DJ sets.

Posted by seandr on October 28, 2011 at 10:54 PM

This seems like a much better solution than Oakland devised.

Posted by Reverse Polarity on October 28, 2011 at 11:02 PM

What a gift!

Posted by Rich Jensen

on October 28, 2011 at 11:02 PM

I think they just want more access to late night hot dog vendors.

Posted by Wicked Virgin

on October 28, 2011 at 11:19 PM

Awesome. WHAT a powerful statement -- nay, I say a daring rapier strike by the Occupiers. To take the battle STRAIGHT to the elite, challenging their very lives by destroying the solemnity of their.... enclave... at a... community... college... on Capitol Hil...

(fuck never mind)

Posted by Zok on October 28, 2011 at 11:28 PM

In most communities there's a clean, dry 'public' space with bathrooms already that has a bit of the Wal(l Street) in the name and could be a place that is complicit with the 1%ers by their purchase of the vast majority of their products overseas, resulting in American job losses, as well as the destruction of small businesses in the communities they invade, that even recently took away insurance options from their lowest paid employees.
Is it Occupying or is it browsing? Economically it would reduce the cost in public policing resources and transfer that cost to the private sector as they try to sort customer from Occupier.
I'm trying to imagine how a public discussion could take place in an environment where groups larger than a family talking together is uncommon. No overnight camping, but one could stretch the limits of gear demonstration at the 24hr locations.
Much praise to you all in the rain and streets. By standing fast you have proven your resolve in an ongoing mass protest unparalleled in 21st century America. By remaining non-violent you have shown your purpose is not domination. By gathering and talking you've altered the world's conversation and are a part of history. More people know what you're discussing than what the Wall Street Journal or New York Times is printing, and that's winning. It's exciting to see heroes in America.

Posted by bedipped on October 29, 2011 at 12:51 AM

I'm glad they are hanging in there representing me, my family, friends, and fellow citizens when I can't be there.

Thanks!!

Posted by cracked on October 29, 2011 at 1:17 AM

SO STOKED!

Posted by between here and bellingham on October 29, 2011 at 2:17 AM

Fucking outstanding!! Finally OWS will be out of eye site of the general public. I mean I only go up to the hill on Saturday nights anyway and SCCC is pretty easy to avoid when out clubbing.

VICTORY!!!

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on October 29, 2011 at 2:26 AM

@7, 11:

"They informed us that they plan to continue their activities at Westlake during the day and camp at Seattle Central at night."

Posted by trstr on October 29, 2011 at 5:10 AM

Yah is right, now this camp will vanish from public view. Nestled in the cozy and accepting confines of Hipster town where face it, the tattooed and faced pierced kids really wanted to be, away from the daytime working squares and night time pyscho homeless in Westlake. No cops to bother them. No media reporting. It'll be Nicklesville four white college kids with C+ GPAs.

Enjoy the long cold, wet winter kids.

"They informed us that they plan to continue their activities at Westlake during the day and camp at Seattle Central at night."

Yeah, that'll make a statement.

"Who are those kids honey"

"Hipsters down from Cap Hill looking for work I think dear"

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 6:13 AM

The sight of kids camping in our community colleges will bring the Elite to their feet in a week!

Posted by SCCC, America's most respected college on October 29, 2011 at 6:16 AM

You need a name change kids to "Sorta-Occupy Seattle".

At least in Oakland they didn't leave without a fight.

Don't let the door hit you in the ass.

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 6:27 AM

So I'm confused. I've read several of your articles and blogs about Occupy Seattle and can't figure out if you are for or against the Occupation. Mostly it seems like you are for, but then you go and throw a wrench and I don't know what to think. Not that I fault you for that; it's good to see a journalist debate both sides of an issue.

Posted by Melba1 on October 29, 2011 at 6:30 AM

@16 AT first they were pro, in fact trying to set themselves up as a journalistic command post for OS (read Holden's breathless Ernie Pyle-esque reporting from the front line of the 'Revolution').

Now that OS is looking pretty ridiculous, and is apparently filled with finger wiggling pussies, they are returning to snark to cover their asses. Follow their reporting on McGinn, the tunnel etc. and you'll see the pattern.

BTW, there is a reason SCCC is nicknamed the "Stupid Can Come College".

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 6:42 AM

Just remember: Mike McGinn managed to make the Occupy Seattle Movement impotent in a single day. I'm looking forward to how The Stranger will breathlessly write about how McGinn REALLY was saving the movement and making it more viable. Ought to make for some HILARIOUS reading!!!

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on October 29, 2011 at 6:47 AM

@16, for another example look at how The Stranger talks about unions. One day they support them then next day they are against them. But then one could ask if The Stranger is a unionized newspaper but I think Tim's views on that are well known.

Posted by Cato the Younger Younger on October 29, 2011 at 6:53 AM

just stay the fuck out of cal anderson.

Posted by taint on October 29, 2011 at 7:42 AM

SCCC shows itself, yet again, as the most activist campus in Seattle.

Posted by rca on October 29, 2011 at 8:04 AM

Specialty Breads & Desserts – FWSp

Five-quarter certificate or six-quarter A.A.S. degree
Students learn a combination of traditional and cutting edge
curricula from chefs in the classroom and in a pastry shop.

http://seattlecentral.edu/course/Fall201…

AA degree in specialty breads...maybe OS is once again ferreting out the root og the problem.

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on October 29, 2011 at 8:32 AM

OS chose its turf, and by a stroke of luck gets to occupy it. I hope the good folks who will now choose to live there are able to build a microcosm of a just and open society. No matter whether we armchair revolutionaries agree with their tactics or not, they are keeping a dream alive. May their skills increase, and their luck hold out.

Posted by Richard Wells on October 29, 2011 at 8:45 AM

What do people think of Starbucks plan to create a microfinance fund for starups that put people back to work:

http://bcove.me/8uie1spd

Posted by Supreme Ruler Of The Universe

on October 29, 2011 at 8:59 AM

I believe at SCCC you get credit for shitting in a bucket in the cold and rain, so consider this a win for Sorta-Occupy Seattle!

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 9:13 AM

Yep, there you have it. Take-out student loans for a year and half of classes to learn how to bake bread, subsidize an apartment off Broadway, and fund a steady diet of Pabst, fixie parts and Portland irony pilgrimages....

And then say its someone else's fault that your underemployed and massively in debt.

(chant)
The whole world is laughing.
The whole world is laughing.
The whole world is laughing.
The whole world is laughing.

Posted by Zok on October 29, 2011 at 9:27 AM

Well, they're not exactly burdened by by their heavy academic load learning how to make cupcakes (Specialty Breads & Desserts ) and be deck hands (Marine Deck Technology).

Any other suggestions for new names for OS?

Occupy the really white parts of Seattle (Census: Cap Hill is 78% white, whiter than Bellevue)

Sorta-Occupy Seattle?

Occupy Convenient Parts of Seattle?

Occupy Cool Parts of Seattle?

Occupy Parts closer to my friends on Cap Hill in Seattle?

Near-Occupy Seattle?

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 9:37 AM

@26. Right, because nobody works as a chef anymore. Oh no wait they do.

Posted by ML77 on October 29, 2011 at 9:56 AM

Yes people work as chefs. Noted.

But the issue isn't whether people do/don't work as chefs. Or the merits and qualities of SCCCs program. It's rather a matter of the MARKET for degree-d bakers.

(How many college-certified bakery chefs do you think our market can absorb from the half-dozen baking credit programs in this city?)

No the only -- the ONLY -- question you have to ask yourself in filling out the student loan application is: Will the potential net difference in income + the opportunity cost of school > the money you owe for the loan.

Since the answer is all too often "No," Darwinian principles will apply, subsequently.

Now, if it's your passion: Something you just love doing. Take the class. Take the job. Take your chances. But jesus stop acting hurt and surprised by your student loan.

Posted by Zok on October 29, 2011 at 10:20 AM

Good chefs don't go to colleges, cooks do. Then they have to figure out how to pay a $40k debt at $10/hr. Then they go to Westlake and protest their own stupidity.

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 10:55 AM

@18 & 19

I agree. Stranger can easily be arguing for and against the exact same thing. When it comes to tolls on the viaduct tunnel, it will cause lots of gridlock traffic because people will not want to pay tolls. But when Tim Eyman wants to play games with tolls via I-1125, omg what a heartless dick, we need tolls to pay for construction projects, even though tolls on 520 will crush street traffic on I-90, Lake City & Bothell Way.

Posted by Kinison

on October 29, 2011 at 10:57 AM

You know why there's so many people willing to teach you to be a good chef, photographer, film maker?

It's because it's the only line of work they could find. Now, take on $40k of debt but don't say you haven't been warned. Or do what the Chinese students at SCCC do, study computer science, engineering, business, accounting, pharmarcy etc. You know, the 'uncool' majors.

Posted by You've been warned on October 29, 2011 at 11:00 AM

BTW kids, remember, only 29% of Americans have a privileged college degree and the unemployment rate for them is 4.4%.

So repeat after me, "WE ARE THE 29%!"

Posted by Sugartit on October 29, 2011 at 11:14 AM

I love how you all think the government needs to deregulate illegals drugs but regulate credit and loans because, you know, kids can't be trusted with credit.

Posted by Back to loansharking I guess on October 29, 2011 at 11:57 AM

This thread may be a dead horse, but I'll kick it one more time. I don't understand the snarky and elitist comments directed toward SCCC, its students, or the OS crowd. What's bugging you folks?

Posted by Richard Wells on October 29, 2011 at 6:19 PM

@35: Dude, it's all about meta-irony. Those commenters are attacking hipsters while denying their own obvious wish to be more "truly" hip than the hipsters. It's a Seattle thing, you wouldn't understand.

Posted by Space Funk Guru on October 29, 2011 at 10:36 PM