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USF Students Stage Sit-In Over Campus Security

CHRIS URSO / The Tampa Tribune

University of South Florida student Vanessa Ruiz, 22, studies for a lecture while protesting with other students Tuesday at the Tampa campus. Approximately 50 students attended the rally.

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By KEITH MORELLI | The Tampa Tribune

Published: October 16, 2007

Updated: 10/16/2007 10:40 pm

Video: USF Protest Video | More Photos

TAMPA - About 70 University of South Florida students crowded the courtyard of the administration building in a peaceful sit-in to draw attention to campus security. Student government members said the administration isn't spending enough of the student-generated money to make the campus safe.

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Jennifer Meningall

Student government Vice President Faran Abbasi wants Jennifer Meningall fired because of allegations she mishandled funding. The allegations originated with a former associate vice president of student affairs, James Dragna, whose contract was not renewed this year.

They also called for an investigation of the student affairs vice president, who is in charge of spending on security measures.

"We feel that student safety is being compromised," said student government vice president Faran Abbasi during a short address Tuesday morning in front of the reflecting pool in the center of campus.
He said the problem lies with Jennifer Meningall, the student affairs vice president who came under fire when a former employee sent out e-mail criticizing her accounting practices as well as her interpersonal skills with her employees.

University officials said they conducted an internal audit of the student affairs $10 million budget and found no wrongdoing, but Abbasi called for an independent investigation.

He said the university is gaining national recognition with its football team and prominence with its research programs, "but it doesn't mean a thing if students on campus are not safe.

"Students on our camps do not feel safe," he said, and a dwindling budget for the university police and other safety measures only exacerbate the problem.

He said the budget for campus safety is one-half of what it should be.

He urged the throng to walk to the administration building and sit on the benches, at tables and along the fountains and planters.

"Do not block the walkways or the stairwells," cautioned student government chief of staff Justin Hall.

The students sat and chatted. Some read, others did homework. A tour for new students passed by and tour guide and USF student Daniel Halcombe told the dozen or so on the tour about the administration building. He paused as the protesters filed by them.

"I guess it's not a good day for a tour," he said.

University administration officials and office workers stood outside their doors and watched the peaceful protest.

The money generated by student fees is administered by the student affairs department, and the students want a say in how it is allocated, said USF Director of University Relations Ken Gullette.

"We want the students' voices to be heard," he said this morning. "We encourage this kind of thing. We support their right to protest. We will listen and we will discuss it."

He said the administration currently is in negotiations with the police union over positions and funding and student government is not a part of those sessions.

"It's a very complicated situation," he said, that involves mainly some hefty budget cuts by the Florida Legislature that resulted in cutbacks in the universities. He also said an outside consultant has been studying campus safety and is scheduled to deliver a report in December.

But in the meantime, some students don't feel safe, said Nicole Rondazzo, also a member of student government.

The issue goes beyond hiring police officers, she said, and includes measures as simple as better lighting in parking lots and walkways.

Fellow student Natasha Bui watched as the protest settled in late Tuesday morning.

"If this is what we have to do to get the attention," she said, "then, we have to do it."

Reporter Keith Morelli can be reached at (813)259-7760 or at kmorelli@tampatrib.com.

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