BERKLEY TREE SITTERS AND VSU’S HAYDEN BARNES

By R. A. Pearson
On October 29, 2007, a California state judge issued a ruling allowing the University of California Berkeley permission to kick out all of the tree sitters in the 10-month protest to save an oak grove next to Memorial Stadium. The tree sitters had been protesting a proposed sports training facility at the site where the university would have to cut down the oak grove to make way for the center. The tree sitters were ejected unceremonisly from the branches they have called home for almost a year.

In a situation a little closer to home, my alma mater, Valdosta State University, has unceremonisly expelled a student, Hayden Barnes, for protesting the destruction of trees for two multilevel parking lots on the VSU campus in Valdosta, Georgia. The expulsion occurred in May 2007. According to Barnes, on May 7 he was notified of his administrative withdrawal from VSU by a note from the president’s office, which had been slipped under his dorm room door. Barnes said he that was given 48 hours to vacate his dorm room, but was not informed of any deadline. For a period of time he was locked out of his room.

At that time Hayden Barnes was a 22-year-old paramedic who had attended VSU since 2005. As a politically active junior at the institution, he had attempted to generate debate on campus about the need for the parking lots with multiple decks and the destruction of the trees. He encouraged the idea of other, more eco-friendly alternatives such as university cooperation with the city on a bus system that could service the campus. As part of the protest, Barnes posted flyers, sent letters to school administration and the university newspaper, the VSU “Spectator”, and contacted the Board of Regents. An article in the “Spectator” reported that in April, Barnes posted a picture collage on Facebook.com, which featured a picture of VSU President Dr. Ronald Zaccari, a parking deck with the VSU banner and a bulldozer pushing the earth. The heading of the collage read, “S.A.V.E. — Zaccari Memorial Parking Garage.” Due to the fact the heading suggested that the garages could be named “in memory” of Zaccari, the collage gained immediate attention. S.A.V.E. refers to Students Against Violating the Environment, a student environmental advocacy group on VSU’s campus. Barnes referenced the group hoping to persuade it to join him in protesting the garage project.

The letter indicated his actions as the reason for expulsion and referred to Barnes as a clear and present danger to the campus. A definite link to the incident a Virginia Tech. The letter set out the requirements for Barnes' continued enrollment. He had to submit correspondence from a non-university psychiatrist stating he was not a danger to himself or others and present documentation from a “certified mental health professional” showing he would receive ongoing therapy during his tenure at VSU.

While the “Clarion Issue” admits that the word memorial was perhaps not the most appropriate choice of words for Barnes to use, we contend that the University and the president certainly overreacted in this case. As one who fought many a political battle with the ‘powers that be’ at Valdosta State in the 1970s, although it was in the days before the College bought out the shopping center, added a few fountains, and proclaimed itself a “University,” I must say this is one for the books. If Barnes was such a danger why wasn’t the school locked down, and he hauled away in a strait jacket? Why was the eviction notice slid under his door and not delivered by certified mail or campus security and Barnes made to sign for it? The answer is the university officials decided to stifle his criticism, get rid of this political activist, and build their garages. As an added insult to the students, an article in the “Spectator” described the plans for the project and the school’s proposal to use $30 million of mandatory student-fee money for the project. Isn’t this a clear misappropriation of those funds. Did this pass a student referendum or even the student government?

For years parking has been a problem at Valdosta State, be it College or University. Student apathy has also been a major problem at Valdosta State. However, once in a blue moon at Valdosta State, a group of student activists will rise up in protest and try to change the system or some aspect of it. Institutions of higher learning are suppose to train our future leaders to lead, and the leaders of these institutions are expected to direct, lead, guide, and educate with tolerance and wisdom. University personnel should be able to rise above the youthful indiscretions, and even insults if need be, of the students under their tutorage and not overact, evict, and over sensationalize an issue based on the poor choice of words by a 22-year-old junior in college.

Hayden Barnes has transferred to Kennesaw State University; his appeal asks that he be paid the difference in costs between VSU and Kennesaw State. In the appeal, Barnes has to show that VSU acted in an “arbitrary or capricious” manner. I hope he wins because, in my humble opinion, VSU acted petty and with malice in this manner. At this point in time, I am ashamed to be an alumnus of this institution.

The Hayden Barnes expulsion has also the attracted attention of theFIRE.org, a national organization edited by William Creeley, concurred with free speech on the nation’s collage campuses. The FIRE advises a long look at VSU before a student and this cannot be a positive endorsement for the institution. The fact that the Hayden Barnes’ incident has put VSU on the “take a second look at this institution’s attitude toward student activism and the second amendment” truly upsets me.

I also can’t help but notice the University System of Georgia announced the June retirement VSU’s President Ronald M. Zaccari in November after only six years at the university. Zaccari, a sculptor and visual artist, indicated he has several commissioned pieces to finish and plans to devote more time to "creative activities, family, and travel." I wonder if the Barnes’ affair had anything to do with the decision?

Editor’s Note: This is the same R. A. “Al” Pearson who co-edited the “V. D. Clarion” at Valdosta State College in the 1970s. In Memory of Bill Donahoo & Hank Spangle.