CAIRO: On Sunday, over 1,500 students and workers chanted outside the American University in Cairo's (AUC) administration building, unhappy with tuition hikes nad increases in other students' expenses. The protesters also demanded that security and maintenance staff be given a voice to express their opinions on what they called “unfit” working conditions. “There is common abbreviation- HR. however the admin here thinks it only means Human Resources, not human rights,” said Vice President of the Student Union Ahmed Ezzat, who led the protest along with the Student Union President, Ahmed Fayed, and other activists as well. “The works have had the exact same uniform for over a year now. They work 7 days a week and are granted a meal allowance in which they can only purchase expensive food on campus. If they were given that money, 200 Egyptian Pounds, directly, they could make it stretch a lot farther or put it towards other needs,” said student Asssen Arafa. Arafa was at the rally not only to show his disapproval of the tuition increases, but also to support his fellow Egyptians who he feels are working in unfit conditions. “Many of them are not even on contract. Technically they could be let go next month. Where is the job security in that?” he asked. Security, in blue uniforms, and Desert Development in green, together had over 500 workers come to the rally with their voices and a list of specific demands. “I have a written list from each department, as well as students, that were compiled by the workers in that sector. These demands are not extreme and can easily be met – if only they would listen to us and meet with us,” said Ezzat, pulling out lists of requests including the workers rights to be able to use the public bathrooms on campus, not be required to buy the school's expensive health insurance, and either a day off or the end of the 200 lbs food allowance, which the activists feel “is a restriction and not a benefit.” Ezzat continued to say the rally was different because it was the staff and the students coming together. “We are AUC (American University in Cairo); without us, the administration has no purpose of a school and no one to bill,” he added. The student body VP also said the rally would work because they are united and doing whatever it takes: camping out, chanting and growing in size. “Most rallies fail because the institution waits it out and the chanters usually give up and go home after quite some time. We're not going anywhere. The longer we stay here, the more media coverage we get, the more pressure is put on the administration,” continued Ezzat. Aside from the given reasons of the protests, student activists say they are upset that the administration will not come down and talk to the students. One by one many students stood on the stage, made of tables, and shouted on a mega phone at the staff to come talk and have negotiations. The students feel they have sent in their requests, but have received no response. “They just never answer,” said one student activist. Besides supporting the workers, AUC students have also compiled a brief, specific list of demands to be met. “Tuition has increased by 15 percent this year. We'd rather the new incoming students have a higher tuition and let those already in school have a set tuition. There is no extra finical aid, no extra scholarships. Tuition increases and the money available stays the same leaving us to pay the difference. Especially for engineering students who are in school longer,” explained Arafa. She added that there has also been an increase in bus fees to get to the new campus, some 30 minutes outside downtown Cairo. “The buses cost more, yet they have done nothing to upgrade them. Why pay more for a service we are already paying too much for, especially when it stays the same,” Arafa continued. Students and workers brought drums, tents and a change of clothes so they could camp on campus in front of the administration building to further portray their unrest and put pressure on AUC's administration. According to AUC's Caravan, the student newspaper on campus, the university's President Lisa Anderson is to meet with protesters to “discuss” demands. BM
