As most protesters made their way down Bascom Hill en route to the state Capitol early Wednesday afternoon, one assemblage of approximately 35 people went against the grain--up the hill and into the chancellor's office.
The group filed into Bascom Hall, in search of a statement from Chancellor John Wiley regarding UW-Madison's official position on war against Iraq.
The protesters ultimately did not get what they were looking for, as Wiley was reportedly off campus at the time, according to John Lucas of University Communications. This left UW-Madison Provost Peter Spear to serve as the university's mouthpiece on the issue.
Spear declined to take a position on the university's behalf.
\You understand that this is a community of 60,000 students, faculty and staff with different viewpoints,"" Spear said to the group of demonstrators who responded by jeering him.
""He's just trying to save his own ass,"" one demonstrator shouted from the middle of a dense cluster of people outside of the chancellor's office doors.
Members of the group then asked Spear to remove his provost's hat and speak on his personal beliefs about the situation with Iraq.
Spear refused to comment.
""My own personal opinions are not relevant in this context,"" he said.
After roughly 15 minutes, the group picked up stakes and followed the other demonstrators to the Capitol, leaving protesters like UW-Madison junior Pabitra Benjamin disappointed.
""The provost can't step out of his role,"" Benjamin said. ""He didn't want to lose his job, and I think that's sick.\
