"There was a core group that was originally supposed to stay in there," Dillen said. "Other students would sign up for shifts day by day, depending on their personal schedules."

But police officers locked the building's doors in mid-afternoon and barred other students from entering.

The students brought enough supplies to last at least a week, including food and water, sleeping bags and thermal wear.

"People are prepared to stay in there with no power, no heat and no food. We have everything we need," Dillen said. "They are willing to stay there until the administration gives us what we want."

Over the course of yesterday afternoon, the students inside Bendetson met with administrators at least three times in the building's conference room.

Around noon, the students met with Dean of Students Bruce Reitman and representatives from the school's department of public safety to discuss the technical aspects of being in the building, such as bathroom locations and rules of conduct.

At 3 p.m., the students met again with Reitman to discuss the students' demands, as well as the possibility of forcible removals and arrests.

An hour later, the police locked the doors to the building. Originally, the officers tried to limit the flow of people going in and out by allowing only two students at a time to enter or leave the building.