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Students protest Sam Olens at Regents meeting

Students exit the Georgia Board of Regents after protesting a proposed vote on making Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens president of Kennesaw State University. BOB ANDRES/STAFF
Students exit the Georgia Board of Regents after protesting a proposed vote on making Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens president of Kennesaw State University. BOB ANDRES/STAFF
By
Oct 12, 2016

More than a dozen students interrupted the beginning of the state Board of Regents meeting Wednesday to protest the proposed appointment of Sam Olens as Kennesaw State University president.

“We demand a nationwide search for a qualified president,” one student stood up and shouted.

Others made similar statements about the selection process for KSU and about Georgia State University’s plans for Turner Field.

“We must love each other and protect each other,” the students repeatedly shouted before exiting the meeting.

MORE OLENS: Some KSU students, faculty oppose Olens presidency
>> Students held silent protest of Olens on campus Monday

The board went into a five-minute recess as the students spoke.

The board is scheduled Wednesday to vote on a proposal to name Olens, Georgia's attorney general, the new president of KSU. Many students and faculty oppose the plans. Their complaints include that there's not been a national search for KSU president and positions he's taken on issues some students feel are offensive to LGBT students.

Return to www.ajc.com and www.myajc.com for updates.

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About the Author

Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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