TONY BLAZEJACK / ASSOCIATED PRESS University of Hawaii students Kyle Usui, left, Melisa Casumdal, Keli'i Collier and Jessica Oshita protested yesterday at the office of interim President David McClain.

UH protesters
warned of arrest

Students and faculty oppose a
proposed Navy research center

After initially telling protesters occupying Bachman Hall that they could stay as long as they needed to, University of Hawaii interim President David McClain warned them yesterday that they could be arrested if they do not leave when asked.

About 60 protesters began their sit-in Thursday to oppose the proposal to designate UH a Navy-affiliated research center, formally known as a University Affiliated Research Center.

Addressing the protesters this morning, McClain said the change in policy came after talking to attorneys who told him that while Bachman is a public building, the students and faculty protesters are sitting in private offices on the second floor.

"I do just have to advise you that you are trespassing, and we have asked you to leave the premises," McClain said. "We will at some point have to ask you to leave the premises again.

"If you do not leave the premises then, you will be subject to arrest."

McClain said the protesters' occupation of his office has not prevented him from doing university business so far, and he has since held meetings at off-campus locations and used other campus offices.

However, besides McClain's office, there are about a dozen other university staff members who work on the second floor where protesters have taken up temporary residence, including offices for three vice presidents, four secretaries, four administrative assistants and a receptionist.

UH Campus Security was on hand to monitor the protesters, but McClain acknowledged that he has called the Honolulu Police Department. At least one protester took the warning as McClain going back on his word to allow them to stay in the building.

"I think we have seen from President McClain today exactly where he stands on the issue of integrity," said Joel Fischer, professor of social work. "I for one will refuse to engage in any further bogus consultations with the man who has just threatened to remove us from our university's place."

Protesters are asking McClain to push for rejection of the center because they believe, among other things, it could lead to funding by the military to do research for developing weapons.

However, Gary Ostrander, UH vice chancellor for research and graduate education, has said the university will not perform research for weapons, that committees will evaluate what kind of research would be appropriate for UH and that professors can reject research proposals from the Navy. He said a five-year agreement could generate up to $50 million in research grants.

McClain has asked to meet with protesters in small groups of two or three today on the lanai outside Bachman at 9:30 a.m. to address concerns individually. In the meantime, most will be living in tents outside Bachman and claiming the second floor as their own.

McClain guaranteed that they would be allowed to stay overnight yesterday.

"We resolve to remain in Bachman Hall until such time as Interim President David McClain declares an end to the UARC proposal," said undergraduate student Shawna Battaglia-Winfield.

Despite the threat of arrest, even those with graduation on their minds said they would not want to leave.

"My mom's all freaking out because I'm supposed to graduate in 15 days," said protester and political science senior Josh Abbott. "I said, 'Don't worry, I'll graduate.'

"But I have to do this."