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The University of California Board of Regents announced Monday that it is postponing meetings planned for Wednesday and Thursday at the university's San Francisco campus because of security concerns. A statement from the board said that university security officials asked the board not to meet. "From various sources they had received information indicating that rogue elements intent on violence and confrontation with UC public safety officers were planning to attach themselves to peaceful demonstrations expected to occur at the meeting," the statement said. "They believe that, as a result, there is a real danger of significant violence and vandalism. They have advised us further that this violence could place at risk members of the public, students lawfully gathered to voice concerns over tuition levels and any other issues, and the UCSF community, including patients, public safety officers, UC staff and neighbors of UCSF Mission Bay."
Student groups who were planning nonviolent protests condemned the decision to call off the meeting. "Today’s decision raises serious questions about the commitment to an open, accountable decision-making process by the regents -- many who are the 1 percent," said a statement from the ReFund California Coalition. "Furthermore, it is outrageous that the Board of Regents would attempt to dismiss the serious efforts of thousands of students and other peaceful demonstrators to refund public education and essential services by insinuating that our cause is motivated by violence. Only the police, acting under the direction of campus authorities subordinate to the Regents, have instigated violence on UC campuses -- not the thousands of peaceful demonstrators who seek solutions to the urgent crisis of higher education in California."
