BY LINCOLN ANDERSON | A dozen Cooper Union students who had been occupying President Jamshed Bharucha’s office reached an agreement with the school that ended the occupation last week.
The taking of Bharucha’s office in the Foundation Building, at 7 E. Seventh St., started May 8, in protest of Cooper’s decision to impose partial tuition on the historically free school.
The occupiers released a joint statement with the administration and the school’s board of trustees on July 15.
Under the agreement, a working group will be established promptly to seek an alternative to tuition that will sustain the institution’s long-term financial viability and strengthen its academic excellence.
The working group will consist of representatives of the board of trustees, faculty, alumni, students and administration, and will report to the administration and board for consideration at the trustees’ December meeting.
Also, under the deal, an interim room has been identified as a “Community Commons” that can serve as a student center or a community center for all members of the Cooper community.
Furthermore, as part of the agreement, all individuals who have violated Cooper Union policies during the occupation will be granted amnesty, and in turn, “will commit to complying with, and cooperating with the enforcement of, all laws and Cooper Union policies.”
