“Let us realize the arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.” –Martin Luther King, Jr.

Or something like that.

In any case, remember how the University started fining students who painted their walls — even though in the past Housing had allowed students to avoid a penalty by painting rooms back at the end of the year?

Students protested, claiming that Housing ought to have notified them of the change in enforcement policies.  And those protests?  Seems like they worked! The USG will announce tomorrow that they have successfully negotiated with Facilities to waive the fees.

An upperclassman told me tonight (as I sat in her azure-painted abode) that after her roommate’s parents called to complain about the fine, Housing responded that while they planned to pursue strict enforcement in the future, they were waiving/refunding fines assessed this year.  As long as students paint their room backs properly in the spring, they’ll be in the clear.

Housing’s reversal came after a group of about 50 affected students petitioned housing to waive the fees. The USG also fought against the fines, and USG President Connor Diemand-Yauman has now released a statement to The Ink on the matter (after the jump!):