In 1970, Patterson Office Tower was the site of a protest in response to the Kent State shootings in Kent, Ohio. On April 1, 2011, students held a protest against racism near the tower. On March 27, 2013, the tower was one of the Fayette County locations for Take Back the Night protests. On April 1, 2014, students protested against privatization of dining services. On December 9, 2014, about 40 students held a die-in on the lobby floor to raise student awareness about the recent deaths of Eric Garner and Michael Brown. On November 9, 2016, students held a protest against Donald Trump after he was elected president on November 8.