What is barring out?

Barring out is a practice that is typically adopted by students in universities or colleges, particularly in North America. The practice involves students temporarily barricading themselves inside a building or a room to protest against a particular policy, decision or event in the institution. The purpose of barring out is to express displeasure or frustration against actions taken by the institution, and to force them to consider their demands.

Barring out is often carried out as a form of civil disobedience and protest and can last anywhere from several hours to several days. During this time, students may refuse to attend classes, block access to the building or room and display posters, slogans, and banners. The practice dates back to the early 19th century and has been used to protest various issues, including tuition fees, academic policies, and administrative decisions.

While barring out is a legitimate form of protest, it can also lead to serious consequences for the students involved. Institutions may consider it as a violation of policy and may take disciplinary action against the students. Over the years, barring out has become less common as students have adopted other forms of protest, such as demonstrations, sit-ins, and social media campaigns.