Arrests End Protest at U. of Vermont

BURLINGTON, Vt. —  A nearly 3-week-old student occupation of the University of Vermont president’s office was ended early Sunday, as police in riot gear moved in and arrested eight of the demonstrators and one faculty member.

Eleven other students were arrested for blocking the police bus used to take the protesters away.

No injuries were reported.

The students began their occupation April 22, demanding more cultural diversity at the state university.

University President George Davis said he called in police because the occupation was hurting the school.

A similar occupation in 1988 led to an agreement on goals for cultural diversity, including minority recruitment efforts. The 22 students who took over the president’s offices said the school administration had failed to live up to its promises.