Columbia's long-standing tradition of activism is fast becoming an endangered species. In 1968, radicals took over some buildings in protest of school policies, insuring forever their place in documentaries and miniseries about the sixties. Since then, the administration has hardly been able to change a light bulb without some marginalized student group crying foul. Now, with the passing of the Sexual Misconduct Policy, that era seems to be fading, and a new one dawning: the Age of Nothing Left to Complain About.

As advertised on so many fliers, February 25 was 'it,' meaning the final vote on the new Sexual Misconduct Policy. The policy was passed to sounds of whooping and cheering from the numerous SAFER members in attendance. As soon as the business of approving the new policy was finished, the "activists" not-so-quietly filed out of the room as members of the Senate attempted to get on with other business. They rejoiced on the steps of Uris and made speeches about progress, but there was a certain sense of perdition in the air. Something had died, and that was the Age of Activism. The days in which Columbia students would jump at the chance to shout themselves sore about any injustice they could think of had come to an end.

SAFER, in all of its annoying, red-taped glory, was the last hope activism had on campus. Of course, there will always be the International Socialists Organization, but we all gave up on them, for obvious reasons. Their particular breed of activism devolved into meandering doctrine spewing a long time ago. We have grown tired with their constant cries for a workers party without any ideas for practical application. Besides, does no one else see the irony in the fact that the only people still pushing for Socialism are students at very expensive schools? No, SAFER was it, the last gasp. Who else will be willing to stand out in the cold rain, screaming innocuous little limericks through a tiny megaphone? As cliched as the red tape became, it was damn effective. Perhaps it was a little too effective. The only sure way to kill a protest movement is appease it. SAFER definitely got what they wanted. Now they can go home and pat themselves on the back. Now rapists at Columbia will be punished; there is a policy, after all. This, of course, will not end rape as an epidemic, no matter what some idealists might think. Someone at the senate meeting suggested that, had the sexual misconduct policy been better understood, past rapes could have been avoided. As nice of an idea as this is, it is not that rational. No, the success of SAFER does not bring about an end of rape. Instead, it insures the decorous punishment of accused rapists. It also assures the retirement of SAFER, having inadvertently rendered themselves obsolete.

What do the uppity students of Columbia have to complain about now? All the big issues have taken care of themselves, so we should all be happy. If students really need something to protest, there certainly must be some injustice left out there. For instance, why aren't there any women on the football team? Why are there no back issues of High Times or Playboy in the Butler periodicals reading room? Why does it cost extra to get a slice of cheese on a chicken club sandwich at Cafˇ 212? No, these grievances do not warrant sit-ins and rallies. Can it be true that all the great injustices of the world - or at least of Columbia - have been put right? It is beginning to look that way.

Even if there were anything left to protest, it would never be like it used to be. The great beast of bureaucracy consumed most of Columbia long ago, and now it has swallowed the activists as well. Now there are channels to follow and protocol to adhere to for even the most inconsequential grievance. Now SAFER assumes an ambiguously named and under-explained 'monitoring role,' most likely to insure their precious policy is followed to the letter. The system has absorbed SAFER, no matter how the activists perceive it. The system has finally won. Perhaps in the future, as new students are ushered into their dorms, they will be presented with an administration-published guidebook on the proper method for protest on campus, complete with guidelines for size and girth of picket signs. Activism and civil disobedience will be relics from a lost time. Any student grievances will be easily resolved through paperwork, not canvassing.