SGA President Kalief Metellus speaking at the demonstration. Photo Credit: Ilana Vatkin
During the common hour on February 18th, students at SUNY Old Westbury crowded the Campus Center atrium to protest against the ban of parties on campus. Roughly thirty students stormed the fourth floor of the campus center repeatedly chanting, “We want parties!” and “What do we want? Parties! When do we want it? Now!” Petitions to bring back the parties were made and signed prior to the protest.
The ban has reportedly been in effect since May of 2019, due to a case of sexual assault at one of the college’s organized events. All other specifics of the case are unknown. With a case of this sensitivity, not much information has been publicized. Many students are left upset and confused on the matter.
The party protest was organized by the head of SGA, Kalief Metellus, who expressed frustration about the lack of communication about the ban. Metellus has made tireless efforts to organize a town hall meeting with President Calvin O. Butts III to discuss the issue.
“I have emailed the President over six times, with no response,” he said.
SGA and those involved within its department feel like they have been in circles trying to locate and communicate with those responsible for the ban. Metellus has spoken to SGA’s advisor Suzanne McLoughlin; Claudia Andrade, the Dean of Students; Vice President of Student Affairs Usama Shaikh; and Assistant to the President for Administration William Kimmins but to no avail.
A 22-year-old resident, wishing to remain anonymous, claims that as a result of the ban, there have been more write-ups in the residence halls. One of her friends had been kicked off campus for violating protocol in the dorms, spending time they could have spent at campus events, but in the dorms instead.
“It’s just taking away from a student being able to feel free. Instead of us constantly being in our books and everything, parties are like our outlet. What else do you expect us to do?” she asks.
A 26-year-old senior claims, “maybe parties should be monitored more, instead of ridding them completely. The ban is protecting the school against liability but is it really protecting the interest of the students? It is avoiding the issue completely and putting it off until another president makes a decision.” The student expressed that the parties do not affect him all that much since he is just a commuter, but that another course of action should occur, like exploring new ways to keep campus parties safe.
Issues of sexual assault at SUNY Old Westbury are handled seriously. University Police and the Counseling Center aren’t the only places on campus to report issues of assault. According to Andrade, if you don’t feel comfortable reporting to either of those outlets, a new service called, “Safe Space Long Island” has been a new addition on campus as of September of 2019.
The protest was intended to bring back campus coordinated parties, but more importantly, “raise awareness and get students to come together, to take a stand toward issues that surround them,” says Metellus.
