To the university community,
I write today with an update on the protest at the Kelvin Smith Library (KSL) Oval and adjustments we are making to campus operations.
At Case Western Reserve, we support the free exchange of ideas and viewpoints in accordance with university policies. We also believe that constructive dialogue—and the meaningful action that can result from it—should never involve harassment, incitement, or behavior that threatens and is intimidating to our community.
On Monday morning, a group of individuals began protesting on KSL Oval. At the time, we made the university community—including the protesters—aware of specific guidelines for their actions on private property, which included limitations on time (8 a.m.–8 p.m.), place (defined space in front of Kelvin Smith Library) and manner (ensuring their actions do not interfere with university operations, including setting up encampments on campus property and the use of disruptive sound).
Recognizing our students’ right to protest and as a gesture of trust with the protest’s student leaders, on Monday evening we made an exception to these rules. As we attempted to gather more information and assess safety concerns in a quickly evolving situation, we allowed protesters who were current students, faculty and staff (verified by showing CWRU IDs and obtaining a wristband) to remain at the site overnight and to set up tents for the evening. Any individual without a CWRU ID was asked to leave campus at 8 p.m. but was permitted to return Tuesday morning, at which point tents needed to be removed. This decision was thought reasonable when we knew that the overnight protesters were current students, faculty and staff. Protesters continued to receive protection from Case Western Reserve University police.
It was our expectation that such guidelines would again be followed Tuesday and beyond. However, Tuesday evening the protesters broke the temporary revised guidelines described above, and they have allowed third parties, not currently affiliated with CWRU, to remain. Some protesters have disrupted university operations and access to university spaces such that some students, faculty and staff feel threatened.
As a result, the protest on the KSL Oval is no longer approved. The protesters’ continued presence and occupation is considered trespassing and is a violation of university policies. Students, faculty or staff who break such policies will be held accountable through the respective conduct process. These actions may also result in prosecution of protestors for criminal trespass and other crimes, whether or not they are affiliated with CWRU. In addition, protesters will be accountable for any anti-Semitic or other intimidating or harassing speech. The university will not engage with protesters about their demands until the protesters leave the KSL Oval and the CWRU community members have completed the conduct process.
As always, the safety of our campus community is our highest priority. As we continue to assess the protest, we are making the following adjustments to campus operations:
- Beginning at 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 2, all campus buildings will require a CWRU ID to enter.
- Two buildings in the direct vicinity of the protest site—Tinkham Veale University Center and Thwing Center—will be closed from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. daily, beginning Friday, May 3.
- To accommodate the closure of these buildings, additional quiet study space will be available:
- Leutner Commons’ Division of Student Affairs room and Lower-Level Fireside Lounge will be open 24/7, beginning Friday.
- In Fribley Commons, Elephant Step Inn’s late-night seating area and second floor lounges will have 24/7 access, beginning Friday.
- The Biomedical Research Building cafeteria will remain open until midnight.
- Shuttles will be available throughout the week, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., to transport to and from Samson Pavilion. As always, Safe Ride is available until 3 a.m. each night.
Faculty, staff and students seeking to avoid the KSL Oval are encouraged to take alternate routes through campus.
We continue to support the rights of our students, faculty and staff to protest and express their ideas when they are in accord with university policy, and we have applied these interim measures to enhance the safety of our campus community.
Sincerely,
Eric W. Kaler
President