Student protesters take over UC Santa Cruz administration building

More than 100 students at the University of California, Santa Cruz took over an administration building on Tuesday, calling school officials to meet demands on changes at the campus.

The group African/Black Student Alliance organized the protest where about 150 students blockaded Kerr Hall about 1 p.m., KGO-TV reported. They chained the front door closed and barred other openings with furniture.

The protesters are pushing the administration to guarantee four-year housing at Rosa Parks African American Themed House, located at Stevenson College. The building is a housing option for students interested in "historical, present-day, and future experiences of predominately Black/African American peoples," according to the university's website.

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The protesters also want the house painted red, green and black, and want the university to offer diversity competency training to incoming students, KGO-TV reported.

The protesters told school officials they would remain at Kerr Hall until their requests are met.

"We gave the chancellor a simple, very simple list of demands that will uplift and affirm the humanity of our black people, we will be here until our demands are met and we are not leaving until our demands are met," the group said in a statement to KGO-TV.

Scott Hernandez-Jason, a UC Santa Cruz spokesman, said in a statement to Fox News that the protest is peaceful and the chancellor is working with student groups to address their concerns.

"Our focus is on ensuring the safety of staff who work in the building and of the students who took over the building," Hernandez-Jason said in the statement.

"Chancellor George Blumenthal has been working with several student groups, including the African/Black Student Alliance and the Black Experience Team, over the past year to explore ways to effectively address some of their concerns. We’ve taken some steps forward, including hiring a recruitment specialist and a retention specialist, and continue to discuss how we can make sure that all students feel supported and have a sense of belonging."

The African/Black Student Alliance is said to be one of the largest and oldest student organization at UC Santa Cruz, the university website stated.

The African/Black Student Alliance did not immediately respond to Fox News' request for a statement.