Opinion: Political popsicles

The weather was in that no-man’s-land between sleet and snow when I stood outside Baker Center eating an ice pop and listening to The Post’s Hannah Yang ask her first question of Jacob Chaffin.“So was this all organized last-minute?”It wasn’t organized last-minute, but it apparently looked that way. The “Freeze for the Freeze” picket line had been in the works for at least a week before the Feb. 28 event. The event itself was half a protest against Ohio University’s rising tuition cost, and half an opportunity to promote the March 14 “Breaking Point” teach-in.The Facebook event for the picket line instructed participants to “Wear minimum clothing for this wintertime protest for a tuition freeze!” This was heeded by many of the protesters, the names of whom are familiar to anyone well-acquainted with the liberal community of Ohio University. Ellie Hamrick bounced around for warmth, wearing only a tank top and gym shorts, while Jack Opal and Tyler Barton stood stoic in summer clothing, holding a red and black sign that read “Freeze for the Freeze.”  Chaffin darted to and fro in a t-shirt and scarf handing out “Breaking Point” fliers. In all, about 10 to 12 people stood in the cold, most of them members of the Ohio University Student Union.Every time I’ve spoken with leaders of campus political organizations, the Student Union has been mentioned. They participated in the Feb. 17 trek by OU’s Sierra Student Coalition to the Keystone XL pipeline protest in Washington D.C. I’ve heard stories of them taking tuition freeze petitions around campus, and their presence on social media has been distinct. The Student Union seems to have significant authority and reverence among the liberal community of OU, and this was my first chance to gauge for myself their organizing prowess.Yang’s first question was not a glowing endorsement of that prowess. Likewise, Chaffin’s question to the rest of the Union halfway through Yang’s interview – “Hey, is it okay if I call myself the spokesperson?” – added to my confusion as to the Union’s organizational structure.Chaffin was later able to clear up some of this confusion, calling the Union “a coalition of various student organizations that have come together to fight for institutional and policy changes at the university.” Chaffin admits “we don't have formal leadership in the sense that other organizations do, but that is likely to change as we expand.”In addition, although 10 to 12 participants is not a whole lot to brag about, Chaffin says the Union was able to pass out almost 600 fliers advertising the upcoming teach-in.“It wasn't intended to be a major political demonstration,” says Chaffin. “We were just looking for a fun way to interact with students on the street while telling them about the teach-in coming up this Thursday.”It was definitely fun. Passersby were offered ice pops along with “Breaking Point” fliers. Chaffin shouted clever slogans to draw attention; “Now is the winter of our discontent!” was much appreciated by the Shakespeare nerd in me. The protesters even managed to land some of their cheeky commentary in The Post: “Standing outside in the snow only represents the cold hearts of the administrators and the cold shoulder they’ve been giving us.”It was all very clever, but on the whole, forgettable. Perhaps Chaffin’s promise is true, that the “Freeze for the Freeze” is just the lightning and the “Breaking Point” teach-in is the thunder. Perhaps I am too harsh a critic. Rising tuition cost is a dreadfully serious matter for this university and for this generation, and I’m impressed with the Student Union for taking the lead in combatting this unacceptable hindrance to education. I have yet to be similarly impressed by their organization and methodology.The ice pops, however, were much appreciated.