Dunning column: Their workplace is occupied
Let’s just say that Dutton Hall is not a pretty sight these days. What with the Occupation grinding on with no end in sight, it must be getting a bit tense inside Dutton’s hallowed halls.
It’s becoming clear that things are not entirely peachy for those UC Davis employees who continue to try to do their jobs inside the Occupied Dutton Hall, with no apparent help in sight and very little guidance from officialdom.
What’s also clear is that since the pepper-spraying incident that focused worldwide attention on our once tranquil campus just before Thanksgiving, the Occupiers can do no wrong. Still, it appears the good will that was sent the way of the Occupation encampment is beginning to wear thin.
I simply can’t imagine going to work every day inside a building where people are living day and night. I mean, the last time I checked, Dutton Hall is not on the list of National Parks, despite all those campers and tents. But woe be to any UC Davis administrator who would dare now to tell the Occupiers it’s time to move along.
Writes one of the employees held hostage by the Occupation while trying to do her daily chores: “Many of us in Dutton Hall wonder if we’ve been left to the wolves. The Occupiers are still camping inside Dutton Hall, and yet we’re still trying to offer academic assistance to help students pass their classes.”
Yep. Keep your head down, your chin up and don’t ask any questions. At this point, you have no rights. You’re either part of the Movement or you’re not. You, after all, were not pepper-sprayed. Hopefully, though, you’re at least getting hazardous duty pay.
‘We have been given no information, so we can only imagine that, since we are more than 100 yards away from Mrak Hall, we have been pretty much forgotten by everyone.”
But maybe if you send some cell phone video of your workplace conditions, the folks at the Top of the Mrak will have some sandwiches sent over.
Unfortunately, there’s more.
“We’ve had horrible graffiti, we’ve had locks broken by bobby-pins. The lobby carpets are stained, and the main corridors are blocked with empty and occupied tents.”
One presumes that if somebody decides to build a campfire and roast marshmallows, the fire department will at least be allowed to monitor the flames. But who knows anymore?
“A few staff still sympathize with the cause, but many more of us are just plain tired of the imposition.”
The age-old problem of a once-beloved acquaintance finally wearing out his welcome. Then again, given the overnight temperatures the last few nights, it’s hard to blame someone for wishing to camp indoors.
“I, for one, am allergic to whatever has been happening in the building after hours, and I’ve sneezed more this week than I have in my whole life. There are rumors of a large dance party on Friday night.”
One hopes you have the proper shoes, my friend.
“The building is a health hazard and possibly a death trap now. Even without tents blocking the main corridors and lobbies, we’ve had a hard time evacuating staff and students from the building when the alarms sound. I cannot imagine the horror if a fire breaks out now.”
While not likely, no need in taking unnecessary chances. And obviously, the longer this goes on, the greater the chance a major mishap will occur.
“Some staff, especially new hires, will have to continue coming to work in a building that is no longer clean, safe or truly accessible for all students. If you get the chance, please add an extra prayer for the staff of Dutton Hall and the students we serve.”
I have my Rosary out even as we speak.
— Reach Bob Dunning at bdunning@davisenterprise.net
Short URL: http://www.davisenterprise.com/?p=114902
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Posted by Bob Dunning
on Dec 9 2011.
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The animals have taken over the asylum.
Your inside source failed to mention that they’re in constant contact with the fire marshall to make sure there are no health and safety hazards. Claiming that corridors are “blocked” is an outright lie. They are simply thinner than usual. There aren’t any carpets in the lobby so, not sure what the claims about “stains” are about. But then, I guess fact-checking isn’t necessary for editorials, is it?
I also know people working in Dutton and Bob (and his source) got it right.
The fire marshall has expressed concern all along about the safety of tents inside the building (does anyone think having tents inside a building blocking corridors is safe?) And she has done her best to work with the group but since decisions require a GA – and even then safety is apparently something you vote on – it’s difficult to create a truly safe environment. Certainly, many of the staff have not felt safe even if the occupiers think the conditions are adequate.
The fire marsall also expressed concern about holding dance parties in this space but this recommendation has also been ignored.
It’s a shame that the staff in that building – most of whom serve students in a direct capacity (tutoring, financial aid, etc.) and care deeply about them have had to bear the brunt of this protest.
“I know people working in Dutton”
Great.
It’s not East Timor. You can take the 15 minutes to go and look at it yourself without relying on hearsay. I was in Dutton tonight out of curiosity and can personally verify that the conditions described through the hearsay in this article do not reflect the actual conditions in the building. I observed no carpet stains. Any graffiti or other damage to the building somehow escaped me. The ranks of the occupiers have thinned – there is like one student there, sitting at a little table, and three or four others scattered around, and maybe six tents, most of which are out of foot traffic areas. The area looks clean and safe to me, and I’m particularly picky about cleanliness. I stopped by tonight to see the rumored “dance party” that the commenter above me is so worried about. There were two students attending it, with five on the third floor studying in a room. I observed three tents tucked under the stairs where no foot traffic could be expected, two tents in front of the building, well away from the doors so as not to impede traffic there, a tent in a large space on the second floor landing with ample traffic corridors around it, and a tent in a similar position in the middle of the third floor landing.
You people complaining about filth and a physical inability to access the building facilities due to the occupier’s presence are being dishonest. There are simply not enough students and not enough tents to have any significant impact on the building’s operations.
The real story here is the fact that what Bob reported in this column is NOT true, and why. It’s NOT true that the protesters are clogging the halls with their numbers, and THAT is the story. Fewer and fewer people are showing up to protest, and it’s losing steam. To really get at this, though, you have to disregard the lies about whats going on in Dutton.
You can deny it all you want – I have been in Dutton multiple times during the occupation. My spouse also works there. So this is hardly the hearsay and lies you claim.
It is not safe when the building is filled with tents, bedding, etc. which is a fire hazard. In addition, it has been downright unpleasant for both staff AND students who have needed to access this building. The last week the entire 3rd floor has had the odor of a dirty socks. And the adults hanging around the building who do not seem to be tied to the university have been intimidating (as I imagine was the idea).
You put “dance party” in quotes – yet that is exactly how its been advertised by the occupiers on facebook. “Dance party” is not my term. At last count, 91 had registered to attend this event – I have no idea how many actually attended.
As for your other claims – photos have been taken of the vandalism – including the stall in the men’s 3rd floor restroom which has been painted green and has writing over it. So there can be no honest dispute that these things occurred.
I don’t know why you are choosing to spread misinformation – but I suspect you have your own an agenda.
Further, if you really cared to know the truth you’d make the effort to talk to the staff effected not just stroll through once (after most students have left no less).
I sympathized with students after the pepper spraying. Now this Dutton occupaton is misguided, inconveniencing students trying to go about daily busness and is disruptive and disrespectful. Time to take UC Davis back, especially Dutton Hall and all buildings. Where’s the leadership?? Is there the will and competence to protect the buildings and vital campus activities without pepper spraying the students and creating major embarrassment? Leave them on quad– if they want to sleep outdoors, who cares? But Any unoccupied tent–wherever it is— is removed asap as abandoned property. Give whoever us left 10 minutes to gather their stuff and go. If they don’t (and there should be a small number if this is done at 3am next week) then professionally take back this state building. Adios. Your 15 minutes is OVER.
Your inside source failed to mention that they’re in constant contact with the fire marshall to make sure there are no health and safety hazards. Claiming that corridors are “blocked” is an outright lie. They are simply thinner than usual.