Ending the encampment

May 31, 2024

Facts about the encampment removal: We understand that some in our community disagree with the removal of the encampment on the Diag May 21. The University took this action to ensure the safety of the people in the encampment and our larger community, and we did so only after encampment occupants ignored or rebuffed numerous requests to follow University policies and leave voluntarily. We stand by the decision.

Unfortunately, several false or misleading narratives have surfaced recently. To keep our community informed, the University is offering the following information to ensure everyone has the facts. Read more

May 21, 2024

President Santa J. Ono statement: The war in Gaza and reactions to it have proven challenging, not just for our university community, but for universities and other institutions both in our country and around the world. Times like these are exactly why freedom of expression is so important and must be honored at public institutions like the University of Michigan. When it comes to freedom of speech, the right to assemble, and the right to protest peacefully, the University’s commitment has been, and will remain, unwavering. Particularly on a university campus, where we are educating young people to become thoughtful citizens, the importance of these freedoms cannot be overstated and, at the University of Michigan, we have a proud history of honoring them and will continue to do so. But those rights are not limitless. The University can and must regulate the time, place, and manner of expression to ensure one group’s right to protest does not infringe on the rights of others, endanger our community, or disrupt the operations of the university. Read more

Beyond the Diag

May 15, 2024

The pro-Palestinian encampment built on the U-M Diag remains, despite requests by U-M officials to leave. Student protesters demand the University divest money from companies profiting from the war in Gaza. Below is a recap of recent events and University statements/policies. Find more information at the Office of the President website and the Key Issues web page hosted by the Office of Public Affairs.

Office of the President
Incidents at Regents’ residences
May 15, 2024
More than 30 student protesters staged demonstrations at the private residence of at least one U-M Board of Regents member and went to several others’ residences. The following student groups, who also have organized the encampment on the Diag, claimed responsibility on social media: Jewish Voice for Peace (JVP) at the University of Michigan, Students Allied for Freedom and Equality (SAFE), and Transparency, Accountability, Humanity, Reparations, Investment, Resistance (TAHRIR) Coalition. Read more

Key Issues Statements on:

• Free speech on campus
  April 18, 2024
  Freedom of speech is a bedrock principle of the University of Michigan community and essential to our core educational mission as a university — it is reflected in our history, policies and practices. The University has long welcomed dissent, advocacy, and the expression of the broadest array of ideas, even those that could be unpopular, upsetting or critical of the university. At the same time, the University’s deep commitment to free expression does not extend to speech or conduct that violates the law or university policy.  This includes targeted speech that involves bullying, defamation, destruction of property, harassment or threats. Read more
  Related:
  Standard Practice Guide Policies — Freedom of Speech and Artistic Expression
  Office of Student Conflict Resolution — Statement of Students Rights & Responsibilities
• Divestment
  March 28, 2024
  “After deliberation, [the Board of Regents] has decided to stand by our longstanding policy: We will continue to shield the endowment from political pressures and base our investment decisions on financial factors such as risk and return.” Read more

(Lead image: D. Holdship)