Police called after students deliver letter to Rao

Erica Terrini

News Editor

Police responded to a call they received from VCU Office of the President staff members Thursday after several students from Students for Social Action attempted to deliver a letter to university President Michael Rao.

The Chief of Staff for the Office of the President, Wayne Turnage, said the staff members who made the call used “poor judgment.” No arrests were made.

Turnage said the staff member, who originally spoke with the students, turned them away and did not take the letter because Rao was in a meeting. He said the staff member contacted police because of a remark made by one student after their letter was not taken.

Ava Stone, an SSA member, said she and other group members were walking away from the president’s office when Turnage came outside to meet them and listened to their purpose for delivering the letter. She said he took the letter and would deliver it to Rao.

Stone said she and other SSA members then saw two police officials on a bike pull up behind them. She said she and the other students asked one of the police officials why they were called and they said the caller reported a “group of kids were standing outside.”

The SSA members had gathered signatures in the letter, which was a faux thank you card for Rao. Stone said the purpose of the letter was to send a message of disapproval for the disproportion when it comes to lowering staff and faculty salaries while higher-level administrators’ salaries continue to rise.

“In this April Fool’s Day demonstration we wanted to use sarcasm as a way to get the attention of VCU administration,” Stone said.

Stone said Rao is one example of administration who receive an unfair salary, but this is not a personal attack. She said the letter was meant to be a message to VCU administration–to let them know students are aware there is “money at the top” and her group is working to inform the student body.

“They’re decreasing teachers’ salaries, which of course means less staff availability and (Rao) is giving himself a bonus,” Stone said.

Stone said SSA works with the United Students Against Sweatshops, a national organization currently working on a budget cuts campaign.

“What we want to do is condemn the people who are responsible for the budget cuts crisis,” Stone said. “We want the public to know there is a reason why this budget crisis is happening and people have the power to take action.”