Silent monitors oversee protests at U.

To the average passerby, student protests are characterized by active participants who eagerly march for their cause, loudly chanting slogans and displaying colorful signs. But at all protests that take place on Penn's campus, there are also some silent attendees -- faculty members and administrators, like Fran Walker and Harold Haskins, who are voluntarily there standing guard to make sure that the rights of those involved are respected. These "Open Expressions" monitors tend to blend in among the crowds they watch, but their purpose is much different than those of others at the scene. In accordance with a University policy that was established during the 1960s, they must be present at all protests and assemblies. Although their roles are usually as passive observers, if basic student rights -- as outlined in the Open Expressions guidelines -- are violated, the monitors can take action. During his 20 years as a monitor, Haskins, director of student development, support and planning, has encountered many tense situations. He recalled that one of the most difficult protests to watch over was one involving the issue of rights of South Africans. "There was a question of rights of students who were here... of South African descent," Haskins said, leading students to organize "a major protest as a part of the crisis of that time." As students took hold of Houston Hall and "would not leave the building... for a better part of the day, in fact two days," the Open Expressions guidelines had to be called into play, Haskins said. "We had to cite the issues of Open Expressions since indeed they went past the guidelines," Haskins remembered. The students' violations included their extended use of the public space in Houston Hall, which interfered with already scheduled activities. Although the monitors cannot directly take any kind of physical action against a person or party, faculty and administration will become involved should an issue arise. The takeover of Houston Hall ended without incident, but students were cited for violating the guidelines. "We make it a point to stay in the background," Haskins said. "It's a very important function, yet it's a very informal function. That's what makes it so important." "I have always enjoyed the opportunity to allow [students] to voice their opinions, especially in an environment like this one," Haskins said. The Open Expressions program was established in 1967 "around the Vietnam War questions" when protests were abundant on campus, according to Haskins. He called the initial idea to establish a set of guidelines for free speech a "high academic question" that was widely debated at the University. The administration "responded to [protests] by saying we need to find some guidelines," Haskins said, to uphold the "democratic rights of dissent... as long as it didn't interfere" with University operations. According to Open Expressions coordinator and Assistant Vice Provost for University Life Therese Conn, the monitors are essential to "make sure the rights of both parties are adhered to." "If someone is violating the guidelines, [the monitors] would explain it to them and ask them not to do it," Conn said. The monitors could also "refer them to the Office of Student Conduct" if the problem continues. Types of situations that would violate the guidelines include protesters or spectators interfering "unreasonably with the activities of other persons," as defined by the time of day and noise level of the event, causing "injury to persons or property" or holding "meetings, events or demonstrations under circumstances where health or safety is endangered," according to the Open Expressions guidelines. Although conflicts do not arise during all protests, some can be multi-day processes, leaving the monitors with extended duties. Walker remembered some of these longer protests during which she had to stand guard -- especially a 21-day sit-in for anti-apartheid that she once observed. "Was it fun? No. But that's the kind of thing that sticks in your mind," she said. "Sometimes, monitors have to go to events which are boring or stand out in the cold."