We are a “tempest in a teapot.” Well, at least that’s better than being children. Wait, we still are children — the chancellor hasn’t taken that back yet. Now we’re just children whose voice is too meek to be acknowledged.

The Guest Policy struggle has managed to plateau in the past few days. The Union met with the president, the Globe ran a front-page story about us and even City Councilor Mike Ross weighed in on the debate.

And yet, despite the overwhelming bias of the media and Ross in our favor (both the Globe and the city councilor were obviously on the side of the students), the momentum has begun to fade. As happens in most struggles with our administration, our spirit is being zapped by the frustrating arguments of the administration and its constant belittling and condescending opinions of the student body. Chancellor Silber knew what he was doing; he may have stirred up the hornet’s nest for a few days, but his unwavering views have managed to take some of the wind out of our sails.

Our problem is the chancellor uses arguments that we cannot possibly defeat. The reason we cannot defeat his arguments is that they are purely theoretical — for example, his constant references to the “silent majority.” This majority is apparently responsible for the Guest Policy and is also advocating that no changes be made. This is a convenient argument because, according to the chancellor, this majority is too scared to speak out against the fervent minority of students who do want changes. It is the perfect argument, one that cannot be proven or disproved. It is a wall that we cannot get past, no matter what we do.

But, the chancellor slipped up. In his statements to The Boston Globe, he gave the students a loophole. He claims a 3,000-student protest would make him believe that students care about this issue. Right now, he dismisses the Union’s proposal as the actions of only a few students; he thinks most students do not even care about this issue. Of course, it is understandable that he views us this way, since he peers down on us from afar, from a high-powered telescope in the chancellor’s mansion. The phrase “out of touch with the student body” does not even begin to describe this man. Out of touch implies one was either in touch at some point or attempting to get back into touch with the students. Silber is neither. He does not care what we think or how many of us think it. He says a 3,000-student protest would make him ponder the students’ resolve.

Let’s call his bluff.

If he wants 3,000 students, let’s give him 3,000 students. Hell, let’s give him the full 30,000. There is not a student in this university who wouldn’t like to make John Silber choke on his own condescending, arrogant and insulting words. Let’s give him a protest sandwich to chew on.

With all due respect to Laurie Steinberg’s letter yesterday, which advocated waiting patiently, the time is now or never. Silber challenged us. He told us what we have to do, what the next step is. We cannot pass up this opportunity.

Of course, Jon Westling has promised to read the Union’s proposal carefully and then decide on a course of action. Naturally, the Union does not want to jeopardize relations with the University president by staging a protest that will be undoubtedly anti-administration. A demonstration or protest of any kind does have the potential to get out of hand, especially when thousands of impassioned students are involved. However, without this demonstration of our solidarity, we have no chance of getting changes made. Jon Westling will read the proposal thoroughly, and then, he will reject it thoroughly.

We all know that John Silber has tremendous say in the policies of the University (be it official or not). He told The Boston Globe he would rather the students at BU were all virgins. Make no mistake about it, we are dealing with people who have definite ideas about how we should be living our lives, and they intend to thrust their values and restrictions on us.

Now is the time. The Union must organize a protest as soon as possible. Bring together the student leaders, bring together all ages, bring together all classes. Bring together all students. If the Union gives us a chance, we will respond with vigor. Not only will a protest show Silber that his silent majority does not exist, but it will create an even bigger media buzz — and let’s face it, bad press is something BU will care about. We are all looking to the Union to give us the time and place to show our spirit and our determination. This is not a time for patience; it is a time for action. If we want change, then we have to make noise. Otherwise, we are just a silent majority.