Occupy protesters at UC Davis settle in for long haul

UC Davis students have responded to Friday's pepper spray incident by setting up the newest Occupy encampment, erecting two dozen tents and a geodesic dome in the middle of the campus quad.

The president of the University of California system is calling for a review of police procedures at all ten campuses after seeing graphic video of officers using pepper spray on non-violent protesters at UC Davis and other officers using batons to beat back demonstrators at UC Berkeley.

"Our utmost priority is to keep the grounds clean so that's never an excuse to raid us ever again," said student protester Samantha Rahhal.

Dozens of students and occupy protesters from as far away as Los Angeles are settling in for the long haul.

The encampment is being built in the wake of Friday's pepper spraying incident that made international headlines.

Earlier Monday, UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi tried to reach out to students by appearing onstage at a demonstration.

"I'm here to apologize.  I really feel horrible for what happened on Friday," said Katehi.

But she was quickly drowned out by hecklers and those student calling for her resignation. She fled to her car followed by reporters and protesters.

On Monday, the university placed the campus police chief on adminstrative leave. The two officers involved in the pepper spraying were placed on leave over the weekend.

"Apparently we were a threat to police officers sitting down cross-legged with our friends," said student protester Ellie Pearson.

"It was one of the worst, most painful experiences of my life," said student protester Evka Whalui-Mayda.  "It was horribly painful. I couldn't see. It was awful."

Students are particularly angry over proposed student fee hikes. State Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) stopped by Monday night to say lawmakers are working to lessen the financial blow to struggling students, even with the state's ongoing budget crisis.

"The governor and I have had discussions on this. It is important that we increase our level of investment in higher education," said Perez.

On Monday night, there was very little police presence at the student encampment with just an occasional patrol car driving by.

The protesters told KTVU they'll stay as long as they can to drive home their message of inequality.