U.S. Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, visited Harper on October 18, 2018 to tour the school’s apprenticeship programs. The controversial Trump appointee visit was planned in advance. But no one on this campus knew it was coming.

Plans about her visit were held in top secret.

Harper did not disclose any information to students, faculty, or community members through their communication channels.  

The Daily Herald broke the news the day before her arrival, which led to details about her visit spreading virally.

Harper College student Julia Mikos was really bothered by the secrecy.

“I was upset that they were very hush-hush about everything, and didn’t even give students details on her stay,” Mikos said.

Harper College Provost, Dr. Judith Marwick, said it wasn’t the school’s decision to keep it a secret. In cases where top officials plan to visit a campus, disclosure of their plans is controlled by their office and not Harper.

“It would have been inappropriate for us to do a broad announcement ahead of time,” Dr. Marwick explained.  

It is not uncommon for high profile officials to visit campus. Former secretary of education, Arne Duncan and Senator Dick Durbin have both visited Harper to explore programs.  

“We’re pleased and proud to show off the things that we do,” Dr. Marwick explained. “But, we take care to make sure we have a good schedule for them and that we respect their time.”

During her hour-long visit, Devos wanted to learn about Harper’s nationally known apprenticeship programs. She also spoke to students about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid mobile application according to the Daily Herald.

As word spread about Devos’ visit, students like Mikos knew they wanted to protest.

She was accompanied by five other students, carrying signs that said “protect trans students.”

Protesters with signs were asked to stand in the “designated protest area,”  which was located in the “quad” or the center of campus, Mikos described.  Devos’s visit was in Building H, on the east side of campus.

Protestors who did not have signs were allowed to stay in Building H. The Harbinger observed that one woman protesting in building H had a sign and was told to put it down or join the protestors outside.

“They didn’t allow students to speak or bring signs anywhere near media presence or DeVos,” Mikos explained. “Which pretty much defeats the purpose of protesting.”

In an interview with Police Officer Stephan Liggio from Harper’s Police Department, he assured that safety and rights were top priority for the department. He said the protocols regarding visitors and demonstrators can be found on Harper’s official website.

One section of the protocol states, “when an invited speaker is the subject of protest, persons may demonstrate outside the building where the speech is taking place.”

The protocol also states, “demonstrations or similar activities by ten 10 or fewer students, faculty or staff may occur at any outdoor area without advance reservations.”

“…There were some demonstrators in H, I saw them as I was with the Secretary,” Dr. Marwick confirmed. “I don’t know why people were asked, if they were asked to be here [outside of the library area]. That would be perhaps our public safety department who would know that.”

Officer Liggio stated that he did not know who made the call about the “designated  demonstration area,” being placed by the library, but it is sometimes dealt with on a case by case scenario where the police department works with the advanced team of the invited speakers.

Later that day, DeVos made a stop at the Chicago Cultural Center, where she was met with roughly 50 teachers and other protests organized by the Chicago Teachers Union according to The Chicago Sun-Times.