'They deserve better:' Marquette University students, staff gather to show support for 'unfairly punished' student protesters

 

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- "We Support Student Leaders." "Reconciliation NOT Retaliation." "Make Space For Race In This Place."

These were just a handful of sayings plastered across the dozens of signs held by students and faculty at Marquette University as they marched through campus Wednesday afternoon.

Hundreds gathered in front of the Alumni Memorial Union at noon to show solidarity with 10 students who filed appeals for punishments they received in August after a protest highlighting the "lack of support" for people of color caused the rescheduling of a university event.

"What transpired, however, was students occupying the New Student Convocation stage, shouting into their portable sound system, and preventing a planned, celebratory moment for the Class of 2026 and their families. While multiple senior university leaders repeatedly attempted to de-escalate the situation, students continued to occupy the stage and yell profanities, resulting in the cancelation and rescheduling of New Student Convocation," a Marquette statement said.

Faculty said the university then activated its code of conduct, punishing those involved with punitive and/or disciplinary action ranging from probation to monetary fines.

"Why have our students been forced to stage a demonstration that ended in their humiliation in order to spotlight the lack of resources on this campus?" said Stephanie Rivera Berruz, a Marquette professor and co-director of the Center for Race, Ethnic, and Indigenous Studies. "While we’re not denying that students may have in fact violated student conduct policies, we’re here to draw attention to the fact that their actions were reasonable in the face of a university that has not made the appropriate changes to care to nurture and to support the diverse student body that it champions."

Sergio Gonzalez, an assistant professor with the university, said that "students deserved better."

"The purpose of this [gathering] is to show our students that they are not alone," Gonzalez said. 

Julissa Ventura, another assistant professor, said the three hearings she witnessed for five students was "not educational."

"It was an interrogation," Ventura said, noting that those affected were "traumatized."

Dr. Christopher Stockdale, an associate professor, said he was "embarrassed to be a faculty member on this campus."

Azul Rodriguez, a sophomore and Urban Scholar, said having support for students of color "is incredibly impactful for my studies."

"We have been working in earnest to improve our campus climate, particularly with respect to ensuring we have appropriate staff support for our students of color. The Division of Student Affairs is currently in the process of hiring for four vacant positions in the Office of Engagement and Inclusion and is working with a dedicated recruiter to ensure a strong candidate pool. Each of those positions supports first-generation students and students of color on our campus. Additionally, a new staff member will be added to the growing Urban Scholars Program next year, as planned when we expanded the program," a Marquette statement said.

But Rodriguez said she believes that the university needs to do more.

"That is not enough. Especially knowing that Milwaukee is a very diverse city. That is not enough at all," Rodriguez said. 

According to a different statement by the school on Aug. 25, "Thirty-percent of our incoming first-year class identifies as students of color and we believe our overall diversity this fall will be at an all-time high, along with the most faculty and staff of color in our history as well."

The 10 students should hear the results of their appeals within five days from when it's filed, according to the Student Code of Conduct.