Three students were arrested today (May 4, 1999) during a protest related to the use of animals in biology courses at Cornell University.

Two students were removed from the roof of Day Hall this morning after they chained themselves to the building's flagpoles. The students were taken to the offices of the Cornell University Police Department, where they were questioned prior to the filing of charges. The students, Timothy F. Slate, 20, and Hollace Poole-Kavana, 20, were charged with criminal trespass, a misdemeanor. Other charges are pending. Both reside on campus.

Bryan Pease, 21, of 519 East Buffalo St., Ithaca, was charged with trespass and criminal mischief in the 4th degree.

Other charges may be filed in city court and with the campus Judicial Administrator.

Commenting on the protest, Henrik N. Dullea, Cornell's vice president for university relations, issued the following statement:

"No student is presently required to participate in animal dissections as part of the introductory courses in biology. In Bio 101-104 and Bio 109-110, alternatives to animal dissection are provided to students upon request. In Bio 105-106, which emphasizes the study of anatomy and physiology, students do not have to perform any dissection or even observe a dissection; however, they must learn the material and are tested with dissected specimens. Students objecting to dissection are urged to choose one of the other introductory courses.

"Of the ten undergraduate concentrations in the biology major at Cornell, only the animal physiology concentration requires students to engage in dissection. This is based on the determination by the faculty responsible for those courses that no suitable alternative presently exists for the proper identification of structures in real organisms at the level of expertise expected of Cornell students who major in biology.

"Productive discussions have taken place in recent weeks between members of the biology faculty and students concerned about this issue. Those discussions led to an agreement between the faculty and the students concerning their mutual obligations within the context of the existing policy. In addition, the Cornell University Faculty Senate has been considering a resolution bearing on this topic and will continue to review the issue in the days ahead."