by Student Unions and Activities put the student protest group “Young Democratic Socialists of America” or YDSA on probation on April 18.
This prevents the group from hosting events on campus, including on campus protests and tabling. The group was disciplined for holding two events with more than 100 protesters, more than one bullhorn and putting up flyers in Coffman Memorial Union without a permit.
These disciplinary policies are part of the University of Minnesota’s protest policy that hadn’t recently been enforced till last August. The rules limit groups without a permit to fewer than 100 protesters on the Twin Cities campus, only one bullhorn, no tents, a 10 P.M. curfew and banners smaller than 14 by 22 inches.
One of YDSA’s co-chairs Joel Delikowski works on the steering committee, guiding YDSA’s actions on campus. He said he wasn’t surprised by the probation.
“I’m not surprised, I honestly thought that this was going to happen earlier given that these protest policies have been ‘brought back’ basically in response to what YDSA, SJP and SDS did last spring,” Delikowski said.
Delikowski said YDSA didn’t receive warnings before being put on probation, and the group plans to push back through the University appeals process.
“Realistically it’s not a probation, we’re essentially suspended from campus, we cannot do anything on campus until October which is very deliberately removing our ability to recruit new members in September,” Delikowski said.
YDSA member Lucas Allen said this probation determines that the work the group is doing matters.
“But I don’t think it should deter any people from the work we’re doing, if anything it should invigorate it more,” Allen said.
Delikowski says YDSA isn’t finished, and the group’s instagram said it will continue to meet in off-campus locations.
“We will have to be more careful,” Delikowski said.
An SUA spokesperson declined to provide an interview and said SUA staff responded appropriately and followed University policies and procedures related to student group conduct.
As of May 2nd, Delikowski has not received a response regarding YDSA’s formal appeals process to fight against the probation.
“I would like the university to email me back and tell me if they got that email, that would be ideal,” Delikowski said.
