University Backs Off Student’s Suspension After Angry Protest

Administrators at California State University, Long Beach, decided Wednesday not to suspend a student accused of an unauthorized transaction while employed at the campus bookstore after more than 300 angry supporters surrounded the administration building, causing it to close its doors for three hours while helmeted campus and city police stood guard.

The protest grew out of a February incident in which Annette Kenoly, 19, a nursing and black studies major who is secretary of the Black Students Union, had been accused of giving an unauthorized 65-cent discount on a book to another student.

“I’m not a criminal,” Kenoly said. “I have suffered a great deal from this and I want the administration to know that we will no longer stand this harassment.”

The students were protesting what they believed to be the university’s intention to suspend Kenoly from classes for a year, a punishment they considered racist and severe. John Shainline, vice president of student services, denied any racist motives.