Howard University students rallied in front of the administration building this past Friday to voice their anger over a disorganized Financial Aid office, censorship of the student newspaper and unfair labor practices. Student leaders were able to meet with the Office of the Provost and have a follow up meeting scheduled for this week. Students had mixed feelings about the likely effectiveness of the protest.

Sophomore Jecika Merzius complained that even though her financial aid forms were submitted on time, they were only approved this past Thursday. Her late financial aid left her unable to pay rent on September 1st. Another student said that she was unsure if she could afford tuition until classes had already begun.
 
Students also complained that interim vice provost of student affairs, Charles Gibbs, had censored an article in the student newspaper about disciplinary actions taken against students. The rally attendants called for Gibbs' resignation over the incident.
 
The rallying students were joined by union workers protesting unfair labor and threatened a sit-in before being turned away from the building. The protest threatened to turn violent when one student was kicked in the leg by a security guard, but the crowd was calmed by the organizers.
 
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