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PaperclipPerfector  2mo ago (text post)   26149 thread views

Culture War Roundup for the week of March 25, 2024

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I feel this is good place to post recent events in Vanderbilt college. So a group of pro Palestine students decide to make a sit in and occupy a building. The university responds with the mildest possible measures (not letting them access bathrooms) instead of folding over and well - the protesters don't look that good when you ignore their crybulling.

https://vanderbilthustler.com/2024/03/26/inside-kirkland-hall-vanderbilt-divest-coalition-protestors-report-inhumane-treatment-amid-student-suspensions-and-arrest-of-reporter/

During an Instagram Live hosted around 6:30 p.m. CDT, one protestor described that they have needed to urinate “for at least five of the nine hours” that protesters have been inside. They stated that a VUPD officer told them that they would only be allowed to use the restroom if they agreed to be escorted out of the building. The protester stated that they are prone to urinary tract infections and kidney infections and, thus, are especially worried about their health.

At approximately 7:45 p.m. CDT, student protestors stated that one protestor was experiencing early symptoms of toxic shock syndrome such as pain, nausea and fever symptoms. Officers told the person that they still could not use the restroom without being removed from the premises, so they decided to remove their tampon during the sit-in. Students report feeling sick, dehydrated and nauseous. A university representative did not immediately respond to The Hustler’s request for comment about whether medical personnel would be allowed into the building if a student was experiencing a medical emergency.

It isnt even that they weren't allowed access to restrooms... the building was closed (at least partially) due to construction, and the students had to shove past a security guard to get in. So it's more "You're not allowed to use the restrooms in the building you broke into (same as everyone else isn't allowed to enter and use them), but you can feel free to leave and use any other building on campus (like everyone else)."

Campus police also prohibited the people delivering Panera from entering the building to deliver it to the protestors (which, again, this building was in a somewhat-closed status unrelated to the protests).

It's also a bit ironic given that Vandy came out with a Free Expression Initiative a little while back, which I was heartily in favor of. I think overall, the admin has done a pretty good job of handling this, the overall Israel/Hamas conflict, and also the upcoming election.

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