Dana Varinsky

Cooper Union students, along with members of the Bruce High Quality Foundation, held a “Free Umbrellas for Free Education” event this evening outside of the school’s Foundation Building, where anti-tuition protesters continue their occupation of the Peter Cooper Suite.

The spirited dance party was a prelude to more activism tomorrow: The Students for a Free Cooper Union have called on students and faculty of high schools and colleges around the city to gather at Washington Square at 11 a.m. for a series of lectures and “speak-outs,” followed by a Casseroles march to Cooper Union at 3 p.m.

Today, Cooper Union released a press statement asserting that “the administration has asked the [students] to leave on several occasions and they have not,” and calling for “a civil process as we attempt to resolve critical issues relating to the institution’s future and survival.” The statement notes that “The Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Dec. 5 to support President Jamshed Bharucha and the planning process he is leading,” and points out that the school’s president invited a group of students to the Rose Auditorium after they demanded to meet with him immediately. “However, most of the protesters declined and left the building,” the statement says.

Dana Varinsky contributed reporting.