Answering questions about the protest movement on college campuses
A wave of demonstrations has spread across U.S. campuses over the last two weeks, led by students who have pitched tents or occupied buildings in protest of the Israel-Hamas war.
It started April 18 when police moved to break up an encampment at Columbia University in New York City. Since then, it has spread to dozens of other campuses from Harvard to the University of California, Los Angeles.
Students are calling on their colleges to stop doing business with Israel or companies they say support the war in Gaza. Some also have asked for amnesty for student protesters who could face suspensions or other discipline.
University officials have negoti
Protests
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In a statement to the Journal-News, Vice President and Chief Communications and Marketing Officer Jessica Rivinius wrote that university staff have been present to “maintain student safety and ensure that university policy is followed.”
“Unfortunately, participants have chosen not to follow university policy,” Rivinius wrote. “Those present have been informed that they are currently violating policy and must come into compliance.”
Student protestors have been given 48 hours to stay in their encampment, but administrators required them to take down the tents at 6 a.m. Sunday, according to SJP president Maysa Constandinidis.
Just after 9 p.m. Thursday, several administrators from Miami, not including Miami President Gregory Crawford, emerged from Roudebush Hall and asked to speak to leaders within the encampment. Darek Sanabria Valderrama, a junior diplomacy and global politics major and incoming treasurer for Miami’s branch of Students for Justice in Palestine, and Constandinidis met with the administrators for roughly 15 minutes.
Constandinidis confirmed that the administrators representing the university included Vice President for Student Life Jayne Brownell, Dean of Students BaShaun Smith and Assistant Vice President for Student Life Scott Walter.
“They will let us stay overnight,” Constandinidis told the protesters at 9:20 p.m.
“But if you are not a Miami student, you have to go … you will be considered trespassing.”
The administrators told Constandinidis and Sanabria Valderrama that the encampment will need to take down their tents but can continue to protest in ways that “comply with the policy,” Constandinidis told the encampment. According to university policy on freedom of expression, students may protest without scheduling or obtaining permits, but demonstrations are subject to time, place and manner restrictions. Non-students, however, require authorization.
University policy also prohibits camping outdoors except in designated locations as part of official student organization activities. Temporary structures must be approved by the physical facilities department, and the Miami University Police Department must review and approve security needs.
Sanabria Valderrama said the decision to start an encampment came after conversations with Crawford on May 1. The university committed to reaching out to its strategic investment group to evaluate whether the university has money going to companies in Israel, Sanabria Valderrama said.
“Safety is our number one priority,” Sanabria Valderrama said. “We let everyone know that if you’re uncomfortable at all, feel free to leave.”
Police officers from the Miami University Police Department monitored the encampment throughout the night. Constandinidis said four “very angry” people showed up at 4 a.m. and she felt they threatened the safety of student protesters.