The homemade banner hung high in university President Wallace Loh’s office proclaiming the message of 22 students who had snuck into the space earlier this afternoon: “UMD Drop Daycon.”

After a four-hour sit-in in Loh’s office and a two-hour talk with Interim Vice President for Administrative Affairs Director Frank Brewer and other administrators, university officials told the students from the Drop Daycon coalition that a decision will be reached by next Friday on whether or not the university will cut its ties with the company.

For months, members of the group have been working to see the university drop its contract with Daycon — a janitorial supply company that was found guilty of violating federal labor laws, a ruling the company is currently appealing. After a meeting with Loh last week where he allegedly stormed out of the office and a forum last night with three Daycon officials that group members said left them with an unsatisfactory feeling, the students said they felt they had to storm the presidential suite.

“What course of action was left besides coming to this office?” Feminism Without Borders President Mary Yanik asked. “What gets through to make a change when we have already done everything right, and still we have nothing to show for it? We want action. We are happy to have a conversation about alternatives we have not thought of, but we want something to be done.”

At the beginning of the meeting, Yanik asked university officials to make a public statement saying that Daycon’s contract will not be renewed.

Brewer, who is also the director of Facilities Management, said he felt he was being “coerced.” University officials have said previously that they would not cut the contract before Daycon’s appeal is complete, since that would violate the company’s right to due process. An official university statement made today said that the university has previously sent letters to Daycon “affirming its strong desire to work with a company that is socially responsible.”

Yet, group member Jack Izen said the students just wanted to discuss the issue with university officials.

“I don’t see myself here to issue an ultimatum — you’re right, that’s very difficult to deal with because that sets a precedence that’s problematic,”  he said. “I come here to show how serious I am about this question. I totally can tell you honestly that if you can convince me that my position is wrong, I will leave, but to say I won’t reason with you because I  have to — that’s not even a fair argument. I want to have a discussion.””

But Susan Bayly, general counsel of the Office of Legislative Affairs, said no official action could be taken today.

“We can’t create a precedent that any time someone comes into the president’s office, we do what they want,” she said. “You made your point by coming here. Now we’ve got to make a point too. You’ve got people’s attention, but we’ve got to work on this [our way].”

At the end of the meeting, Brewer said that administrators will meet Tuesday to talk about Daycon’s contract renewal, that an official decision will be reached next Friday and that Brewer will continue to listen to student concerns.

“It’s difficult for me to speak for the whole university, but I personally commit to work with you next week for whatever hours it will take to reach an agreement,” he said. “This is a complicated issue. … I’m saying let’s talk. I’m willing to do that—to talk comprehensively. I want to do that.”

Brewer said that although members of Drop Daycon said they don’t trust the administration, he intends to follow through on his word to address the students’ mission. He said today’s meeting has spurred the university to take quicker action.

More than five university police were outside of the meeting, and University Police Spokesman Capt. Marc Limansky said he was pleased police intervention was not needed.

“We support the university’s administration, and we support the students in their actions,” he said. “We always strive to facilitate a peaceful conclusion in any occurrence. We are very pleased today’s outcome was peaceful.”

romas at umdbk dot com