On Monday, 13 people were arrested after they occupied University of Minnesota President Eric Kaler’s office. The protesters were warned they’d be arrested if they didn’t leave the premises by 6 p.m. They had the option to leave without going to jail, but they didn’t take it, seemingly on the principle of wanting to “legitimize” their activism.

While some of the diversity-related changes the protesters want are admirable, conversation regarding the issues is stymied by their resolution that Kaler immediately adopt their “demands.”

As Kaler said in a statement, “Addressing these issues requires partnerships, all parties working together to achieve a common goal.”

However, ignoring requests to leave — and then asking for donations to help pay for bail — is a poor way to make a cause heard and spur cooperation. We urge Whose Diversity? to find a more constructive way to foster dialogue instead of continuing to make “demands” and get arrested.