What is causing the protest at Howard University?
About 350 students and union workers crowded the plaza outside Howard University’s administration building Friday morning, protesting a long list of grievances including problems with on-campus housing, delays in financial aid payments and labor practices, and at one point threatening a sit-in before they were turned away from the building’s doors. “We love Howard,” said Corey Briscoe, 20, a junior and the director of student advocacy for the Howard University Student Association. “But this impinges on academic freedom.” The crowd, many wearing black T-shirts as a sign of protest, waved colorful signs and chanted “Students first!” and “We want answers!” Students described long lines at the financial aid office and loan and aid payments that were still missing nearly two weeks after the school year started. “I live off-campus. On September 1st I was supposed to pay my rent,” said sophomore Jecika Merzius 19. She said that she turned in her forms in June but was only approved Thursday. “
