By KIM KUMMER
A demonstration of about 50 students waving signs, cheering and chanting, was held Monday at Utah Valley State College to protest a list of grievances, culminating in the firing of a popular student government adviser, Nancy Hill.
'They (the students) basically had a list of grievances that have occurred over the past several years that have led them to this protest, with the last straw being the firing of Nancy Hill,' said Shannon Banister, office manager for the student government at UVSC.
Hill also held the position of assistant dean for Student Life, Banister said.
Protesting students wanted a say in the hiring and firing of employees paid with student funding. Other issues include the use of $1 million in student funds that went toward seats for the David O. McKay Event Center.
Sheila Banister, president of the Student Advocacy Club, said students had not been properly notified as required in the Associated Student Body Constitution. Students also complained that there is no copy center on campus, and they want the student representatives who sit on committees to have legitimate votes, not just input.
Students sent letters of intent to protest to the dean of UVSC, the dean of Student Life and the Board of Trustees, the morning of the protest, in order to avoid being stopped, said Craig Judd, vice-president of SAC.
Tom Hover, dean of Student Life, watched the rally from his window. He said, 'I figured I'd go ahead and let the students have their say. They certainly deserve that.'
He said the students handled the demonstration well and were good about putting their issues on the table.
Shannon Banister said Judd, Sheila Banister and Steve Beck, the current student body president, had been organizing the protest since Wednesday. A committee was formed and phone calls were made to rally students to the half-hour meeting. Shannon said the turnout was low because of May Term.
'The protest has worked somewhat because the administration is already being responsive to our needs as students,' Judd said.
Sheila, Judd and Beck all spoke at the rally.
There are no future plans to protest, but 'the issue is not over.' The protestors asked that Hill be reinstated, which they know will not happen, Shannon said.