Ohio State University's Bricker Hall, the seat of university administration, became the site of an "open mic" protest for about eight hours Wednesday night, with dozens of students, faculty and others occupying the area outside President Michael V. Drake's second-floor office. Several advocacy groups joined in. They complained that university officials don't listen to them and have silenced them; officials say they have talked many times with the leaders of the groups, and that the protesters just don't like the answer.

Ohio State University's Bricker Hall, the seat of university administration, became the site of an "open mic" protest for about eight hours Wednesday night, with dozens of students, faculty and others occupying the area outside President Michael V. Drake's second-floor office.

Several advocacy groups joined in. They complained that university officials don't listen to them and have silenced them; officials say they have talked many times with the leaders of the groups, and that the protesters just don't like the answer.

University officials say the occupation began with about 80 people at around 3:30 p.m.; a statement from one of the organizers said it was about 150. Most remained until early evening, but then they began leaving in small groups and the final group of about 25 left at about 12:30 a.m., an official said.

YouTube videos show students chanting and singing; in one, Jay Kasey, OSU's senior vice president for administration and planning, tells those in the group that they must leave by 5 a.m. or they will be arrested and likely expelled.

A university official said at least three violations of the student code of conduct were prevalent: failure to comply with university or civil authority; unauthorized presence; and disorderly or disruptive conduct.

Kasey told the protesters he would not argue with them. "We simply tell you the truth and you live with your actions," he said. When someone asked what he meant by "clear the building," Kasey responded, "Our police officers will physically pick you up and take you to a paddy wagon."

"#NoEndsNOW" and "#ReclaimOSU" were among the social-media tags used by those supporting The Real Food Challenge, United Students Against Sweatshops, Committee for Justice in Palestine, OSU Coalition for Black Lives and others. A group called the Afrikan Black Coalition declared on its blog that university officials were "starving" protesters because they would not allow them to have food brought in the building.

The Real Food group wants Drake to sign a pledge promising that, by 2020, 20 percent of dining-hall food will come from non-corporate sources; officials say university-wide responsible-food efforts already equate to more than that.

The Sweatshops group objects to the fact that the university is considering leasing the right to operate its energy and utility systems, saying it will cost some university employees their jobs. A spokesman said Wednesday that Ohio State has made a commitment that any employee displaced by an energy-lease deal would be offered another university job at similar pay.

The Committee for Justice in Palestine has called for the university to divest from three companies it says are involved in mistreatment of Palestinians by Israel.

mcedward@dispatch.com

@MaryMoganEdward