As the saga continues at Medgar Evers College, a judge recently granted a temporary restraining order stopping the City University of New York from evicting the Center for NuLeadership on Urban Solutions at the college. The college had said that the center had to be out by Dec. 30, but a judge overturned the eviction, giving more time for the plaintiffs to prepare their case.
The four plaintiffs in the case, including Eddie Ellis and Dr. Divine Pryor, maintain their stance against CUNY’s attempts to dissolve the center. In operation for the last seven years at Medgar Evers College, NuLeadership assists formerly incarcerated individuals renter society through the use of education.
Ellis said he feels optimistic about the case and that CUNY will not be able to show just cause to shut down the program.
“I think it’s going very well. I think we were encouraged by the fact that they did grant the temporary restraining order,” he said. “We have a good solid ground and there needed to be a full examination of the issues. All of the elements are in our favor. There is no legitimate reason why our center was evicted. We have been in Medgar Evers for seven years.”
According to the Medgar Evers College Coalition, the school’s administration has also reduced support mechanisms and faculty resources, including the elimination of the Writing Center and the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the reduction of tutors and staff of the library computer lab and learning center.
The coalition held a public information meeting with students, faculty staff and the community on Wednesday night to discuss the coalition’s demands, the ongoing petition drive and next steps.
CUNY did not return a request for comment on the case. The Center for NuLeadership will appear back in court on Feb. 10.