Some of you may have read how SDS at Evergreen may have been planning to disrupt graduation tomorrow. Looks like that won't be the case. A faculty member involved in the mediation between the admins and SDS just released a brief on the conclusion of the sit-in and agreement between both SDS and the admins.

It is reproduced below:

RE: Joint Communication from Participants in the Sit-in and Representatives of the Division of Student Affairs

After several sessions of negotiation, representatives of the college administration and participants in the sit-in the Seminar I building reached an agreement on Thursday evening. The administration was represented in negotiations by Art Costantino, Phyllis Lane and Tom Mercado. The sit-in participants had five students at the negotiating table at any one time, rotating among [names of students and faculty and admins] facilitated the negotiations.

Both parties were pleased to reach this agreement and look forward to the fall quarter committed to working together in the collaborative and cooperative spirit that exemplifies the unique educational mission of Evergreen.

The following is the full text of the agreement:

1) SDS will vacate the fourth floor of Seminar One and cease activities that are disrupting the offices of the Vice President for Student Affairs.

2) Both parties involved accept some responsibility for the events leading up to March 7, 2008 as follows: SDS accepts some responsibility for deciding to proceed with the cancelled event. The administration recognizes that although not necessarily an excuse for deciding to proceed with the cancelled event, some conditions associated with the moratorium may not have been clear.

3) SDS must identify four coordinators at the beginning of Fall 2008 and ensure that the four coordinators attend the three-part training for registered student organizations. The four coordinators will be responsible for dissemination of training information related to college policies and procedures to the general SDS membership.

4) Upon completion of the above (# 1, 2, 3) SDS’ probation will be lifted, reinstating them as a registered student organization. As a registered student organization, SDS will be eligible to apply to the S&A Board for funding. Upon completion of # 1, 2, and 3 and receipt of $75, an account will be set up and SDS will be eligible to sponsor events on campus. During the summer, SDS will be permitted to reserve space for organizational meetings. They will not be permitted to host public events nor will they have access to funds.

5) [student name] will be offered her job back in Parking Services as well as receive compensation for time lost. She will be offered the opportunity to work during her previously scheduled hours.

6) The college recognizes the primacy of students in development and revision of a student-initiated and developed process to create a new disciplinary policy for registered student organizations. This acknowledges that we can not go above the jurisdiction of the Board of Trustees. To this end, we urge the Geoduck Student Union to initiate a process for formulating a coalition of students, registered student organizations and the GSU, with the student activities staff in a non-voting advisory position, to develop a new policy for disciplinary review of registered student organizations. We urge that the process be open and equal. Upon development of this policy it shall be presented to the student body for ratification by vote. If the student body ratifies it, it will become official policy.

7) Upon agreement, no additional complaints will be made by Student Affairs staff, and all current complaints made by that staff will be terminated regarding all sit-in related activities, including all activities related to the functioning of the People’s University. Three grievances are to be adjudicated through the student conduct code. In one of the cases, the complainant has made it clear that the complainant will not seek suspension or expulsion from the college. The complaints against the other two individuals will continue unabated. The names of these individuals are identified in a private memorandum between the parties to this agreement. In these cases the grievance officer will be Joe Tougas.