Those looking for evidence of the growing unrest among college-aged students need search no further than New York University. This past Friday, police ended a nearly two-day occupation of the school's Kimmel Center by a student organization called Take Back NYU. Though the protest may seem reminiscent of our own fabled Ford Hall occupation-whose 40th anniversary we recently commemorated-and our own struggle against an often-opaque administration, the reality is that the NYU protest has little in common with our own revered rebellion and stands as an example of poor organization, noncooperation and unrealistic expectations.On the surface, it seems that our peers' concerns do not differ greatly from our own. Transparency took precedent at NYU as well, with the protestors demanding access to the University's operating budget, investments and endowment.

However, a quick glance further down the list reveals many more ill-considered requests. Lacking any serious comprehension of the school's budgetary situation, NYU protesters demanded a freeze on tuition increase and the full recognition of all need-based scholarships while simultaneously mandating that all the school's excess supplies and materials be sent "to rebuild the University of Gaza." In all, the list included 13 separate demands, none of which was met by NYU administrators.

This scattershot protest serves as a warning to both students and administrators about the need to speak the same language. Administrators need to remain transparent in order to give students the information they need to reach well-reasoned conclusions. At the same time, students need to remain civil and focused in their efforts as well.

Brandeis students should be proud of the progress made in getting the administration to cooperate with students through peaceful protest and active participation. The many open forums alone, well attended by both students and administrators, illustrate the positive relationship that can be achieved when the appropriate lines of communication are followed. Out of NYU's undergraduate population of nearly 20,000, only a few dozen participated in either the Kimmel Center occupation or the subsequent protest against the school's disciplinary actions, which included the suspension of 18 students who participated in the occupation.

It may be tempting to join our peers in these more extreme forms of protest, but the evidence for progress points to the more cooperative approach that we've adopted at our own University. Students need to keep their channels with administrators open, not barricade them shut.