Students at Howard University Set up a Sit-In Following Financial Aid Scandal
Howard University students have taken over the administration building and have staged a sit-in until their demands are met.
Some of these demands include the resignation of Howard’s president as well as the board of trustees and the disarming of the campus police. These protests occurred when students were notified that Howard employees misused financial aid funding over a 9-year period according to CNN. As a result, six employees have been fired.
“The investigation found that from 2007-2016, University grants were given to some University employees who also received tuition remission,” Howard University said in a statement released on Wednesday. “The audit revealed that the combination of University grants and tuition remission exceeded the total cost of attendance. As a result, some individuals received inappropriate funds.”
Students are receiving food, water, and other donations from fellow students and other supporters during their protest.
Many students and supporters of the cause have made their voices heard on Twitter. One of those supporters includes Rihanna.
— Rihanna (@rihanna) March 30, 2018
It’s more than a financial aid scandal @HUResist has a list of demands centering student power. #StudentPowerHU
— gabi ⚡️ (@GabiMontgomery) March 30, 2018
#StudentPowerHU pic.twitter.com/upDAgeNybC
— Aliah 🍯 (@liahtho) March 29, 2018
In the words of Frederick Douglass, “power concedes nothing without a demand.” These are our demands. #StudentPowerHU pic.twitter.com/pnFOefF2KM
— #StudentPowerHU (@HUResist) March 26, 2018
Students hanging our demands outside of the administration building #StudentPowerHU pic.twitter.com/D3NpPxCSsz
— #StudentPowerHU (@HUResist) March 30, 2018
Howard Students continue to hold the administration Bldg demanding the resignation of HU President Wayne Frederick and 7 trustees…after learning they hid news that 6 workers in the financial aid office were fired for stealing money. HU employees waiting word on what to do next pic.twitter.com/ZArpR7THJh
— Sam Ford (@ABC7Sam) March 30, 2018
All floors are occupied! https://t.co/C1caOZp6DO
— #StudentPowerHU (@HUResist) March 30, 2018
Howard University President Wayne A.I. Frederick said in a statement that he hears the students with saying, “I am listening to you, and I am challenging my team to make the changes you are expressing a dire need to see. In addition to that, I would like to further increase the engagement with a larger and broader portion of our student body.”
