In any organization, political participation is necessary to shape specific outcomes, the polity’s boundaries, and ideas. The GEO is a campus organization that feels great group solidarity, or an organization of people who

feel a strong sense of group membership. This collective solidarity is the basis of their political action and political participation. Furthermore, striking and lobbying allowed for them to retain this solidarity whilst simultaneously allowing for them to express their identities.

Many people were disgruntled over canceled classes, daily life interruption, even the noise. I say, Bah Humbug. The GEO was on a mission to disrupt the status quo; a mission to sponsor learning for all who deserve it and who have earned the opportunity to be here, despite their dirt poor, working-class, or Escalade back-grounds. The GEO was calling for a return to those founding ideals of diversity of experiences with the hope that the University will provide a lasting contract to ensure their tuition free education.

As an undergraduate, I have seen those members of the GEO soldiering the rain and criticism these past few days choosing to participate, instead of standing idly by, and I must say I have mixed feelings. I am sad that these measures were necessary to see their plight resolved, but I have hope that soon the University will join the GEO and that those bright, extremely hardworking graduates will have all their proposals fulfilled.

Jacqueline Smerz

sophomore in LAS