Students staged a sit-in Tuesday outside the office of USC's president, hoping the university would take measures to ensure that USC-themed apparel isn't manufactured in sweatshops.
Thirteen students, who came prepared with food to last three days and pillows, ended their protest after about six hours when the university threatened to suspend them and, in a move that even surprised former 1960s student activist Tom Hayden, called their parents.
"We were prepared for arrest, but not suspension," said Ana Valderrama, a senior in philosophy.
Hours earlier, as the students sat on the floor outside President Steven B. Sample's office in Bovard Hall, about 35 other students rallied outside the building, joined by Hayden, a former lawmaker. The protesters waved signs, banged drums and chanted slogans such as "President Sample, prove your creed, don't give in to corporate greed."
Sample did not meet with the students. University spokesman James Grant said that the president attended meetings throughout the day and that he did not know whether Sample was in his office. "It's very possible he left through another entrance," Grant said.
The sit-in began about 11 a.m. and ended after the students were handed personally addressed letters that said, "I want to inform you that you have been placed on interim suspension from USC. " The letters outlined eight charges of misconduct.
The three-page letters, signed by Denzil J. Suite, assistant vice president for student affairs, said that "effective 5 p.m. on April 10, 2007, you may not return to the University of Southern California." It also added that "if you reside in university-owned housing, you must vacate your residence by 9 a.m. on April 11."
The students were given 10 minutes to decide whether to end their sit-in -- and thus have the whole matter dropped. "We all got scared. You could feel the fear in the room," said Meher Talib, a junior in international relations and one of the protesters.
The students asked for, and received, an additional five minutes to huddle before giving up.
To the cheers of about 150 students gathered outside the building, the protesters, some in tears, peacefully walked out. Talib said they were tears of frustration. "I'm upset that we didn't win the campaign," said Talib. "But that doesn't mean the campaign is over."
