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October 26, 2012

Wesleyan President Grabs DN! Microphone as Students Protest End to Need-Blind Admissions 
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Students at Wesleyan University in Connecticut are continuing to protest
against the school's decision to change its admission practices by
ending what is known as "need-blind admissions" to all applicants.
Qualified students now face possible rejection if they are deemed unable
to pay full tuition, now around $60,000 a year, making it one of the
most expensive schools in the country. Students say the new policy will
target the poor and middle class.

Daniel Plafker, Wesleyan Student Activist: "The reason we're out here
today is to stand in opposition to proposed cuts to the need-blind
financial aid policy. Essentially what that allows the admissions office
here to do, and in other places, is to actively discriminate against
applicants, based on their socio-economic class. This is a decision that
was made behind the backs of students, without transparency, behind
closed doors, at a time when most of the students weren't even on campus
to know about it."

On Saturday, Democracy Now! video production fellow Nemo Allen attempted
to interview Wesleyan President Michael Roth about the policy change
after the school's football game. Roth refused to answer questions and
then grabbed Allen's microphone and walked away with it.

Nemo Allen: "Why has there been a total lack of transparency with this
decision being made? President Michael Roth of Wesleyan University, why
has there been a total lack of transparency?"

Michael Roth: "There has been a lot of transparency."

Nemo Allen: "There has been? Excuse me, Give it back."

Michael Roth: "Who are you? I don't have to do anything."

Nemo Allen: "I'm with Democracy Now! You have to give it back."

Michael Roth: "Thank you. I will. We're going to walk over to Media
Relations."

Wesleyan President Michael Roth eventually returned the microphone after
being instructed to do so by a police officer.

 

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