We already knew that students all over the world were making a lot of sacrifices to afford an education, but a recent protest at Cooper Union has taken this concept to a whole other level.

Eleven Cooper union students and 1 New School Free Press reporter have barricaded themselves in the Foundations Building of Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in an attempt to get President Jamshed Bharucha to change his mind regarding his decision to begin charging tuition for education programs in the coming fall semester.

The students have chained themselves on one side of the barricade, refusing to leave unless Bharucha indeed reverses his decision. The protesters believe that charging tuition for this program is simply not right and are willing to literally put their bodies on the line for this cause.

“We’ve got plenty of food, we’re not planning on leaving until these demands are met,” said protester Kristi Cavataro. “Until we’re forcibly removed, we are not leaving.”

Claire McCarthy, director of public affairs at the Cooper Union, said that these fees are only to be put into effect to keep the school financially stable.

While no official decision has been made, it is unlikely the protesters’ demands will be met, according to McCarthy. The director said that they do not represent the entire student population, so their actions will not impact those of the the rest of the students.

Sean Levinson | Elite.