<p>by Alvin Chang</p>
<p>Features Editor</p>
<p>April 03, 2006
Man can live about 40 days without food. CAS sophomore Dan Breindel was almost an eighth of the way there Hunger Strike, Day Four, his sign in Bobst Library read on Saturday but he didnt quite make it.</p>
<p>Wearing a blue shirt and tie with basketball shorts, Breindel looked out from under his beige cap and curly hair to anyone who would pay attention. Since he received his housing assignment on Wednesday he was placed in the Twenty-Sixth Street residence hall, even though he did not select it on his housing form he vowed to consume only water and Centrum multivitamins until the university sends out an e-mail apologizing and asking the students what they can do to make it up to them and give them some kind of recompense, he said.</p>
<p>By day four, he looked fatigued yet he continued to sit in Bobst the place he stayed after class from around noon until 7 p.m. each day despite his deteriorating health, he said. On the way home that evening, he passed out in the NYU bus, which prompted him to eat, thus ending the strike.</p>
<p>Its not about me, said Breindel, who now plans to live offcampus. What I am asking for is that the administration admits that there is a problem with housing.</p>
<p>Breindel claimed that because NYU receives so many new students every year, it can afford to ignore what current students want.</p>
<p>I felt like I had to take these extreme measures to get my voice heard, and thats not a good thing, he said.</p>
<p>Since he began his strike, Breindel has met with top housing administrators, appealing his case and explaining his motives.</p>
<p>When he met with Marc Wais, the vice president for student affairs, Breindel said he was shown compassion on the personal level.</p>
<p>We take seriously any feedback we receive from any student regarding their experience here at NYU, Wais told WSN.</p>
<p>But Breindel feels that such personal compassion has not transferred over to the student body as a whole.</p>
<p>Im upset that they showed very little compassion to the class of 2007 and 2008, Breindel said. I feel like the rug was pulled out from under them.</p>
<p>From his experience, Breindel now realizes that the administration does care at least about him.</p>
<p>I dont know if that compassion transfers into the student body, Breindel said.</p>
<p>But, while the administration recognizes the efforts students take to make their case, Wais said the university is naturally very concerned when students get involved in any type of activity which compromises their health and safety.</p>
<p>After not eating for four days, he said he began to see and feel the physical affect on his body.</p>
<p>I got on the bus and leaned up against the window. The next thing I know, people were pounding on me at Water Street trying to get me up, he said. Luckily, he said, he was traveling with two friends who were able to help him.</p>
<p>Breindels friend, Ashleigh Crowther, CAS sophomore, said he may not change anything with this strike.</p>
<p>Theres no way to change the fact that 500 people dont have housing. The main objective is to get some attention, Crowther said. She was one of 500 people who have not yet received a housing assignment.</p>
<p>CAS sophomore Michael Ablavsky, who works at Library Privileges at Bobsts front desk, noticed Breindel methodically sitting at his post day after day.</p>
<p>I really dont think its effective. Dont get me wrong its a great cause. But hes not getting much attention from people, he said. Im sure theres a better way of doing it.</p>
<p>Breindel said he feels if he continued the strike for a few more days, he would have made a better point, but he wasnt willing to sacrifice his health.</p>
<p>I think its a definite concern that I felt that I had to go to such extents to be heard by the people at this school, he said. The university says we should take into consideration the future of the university, but I say the university should take into consideration the future of the students.</p>
<p>source: <a href=“http://www.nyunews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/03/4430beeae15cf[/url]”>http://www.nyunews.com/vnews/display.v/ART/2006/04/03/4430beeae15cf</a></p>