May 1, 2024: A Message from the Provost on Recent Campus Events
Dear Colleagues,
Over the past several months, UMass and higher education institutions across the country have responded to political pressure and activism in ways that have dominated headlines and both curricular and co-curricular discourse.
As leaders in our institution, your connections with students and colleagues are invaluable as you provide guidance, support, and knowledge to our community. In a commitment to transparency and to ensure you have the most accurate information as you address these issues, I write to share several updates.
First, several documents with proposals and demands related to the university’s partnerships have been circulating. On April 25, Chancellor Reyes officially responded to these demands in a letter to Students for Justice in Palestine, Faculty for Justice in Palestine, and the Prison Abolition Collective. I invite you to read – and share – his response clarifying UMass Amherst’s official position.
Second, I want to address some of the questions coming out of the university’s response to this week’s encampment. Colleagues have shared several concerning inaccuracies with me, and I want to ensure our conversations are grounded in facts – even if we do not all agree with the positions and actions of the university as it enforces its policies.
What was the difference in the university’s response between this demonstration, the 2023 housing demonstration, and previous occupations?
Last year’s housing encampment and previous Whitmore occupations are largely irrelevant since Chancellor Reyes is not required to enforce policies in a manner identical to the 30 chancellors who preceded him. Regardless of their leadership style, however, the one principle that all chancellors must adhere to is a viewpoint-neutral application of university policy. Chancellor Reyes has been, and will continue to be, viewpoint-neutral in the consistent application of all campus policies.
What is the status of the encampment?
Demonstrators cooperated with the university and removed all unauthorized structures without incident on Tuesday, May 30. Demonstrators were reminded that they could remain on site so long as university policies were followed (no amplified sound, no unauthorized structures, etc.) Demonstrators applied for and received a land use approval for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Friday, May 5.
Was there a large police presence at the encampment?
No. Only a small number of UMPD officers were near the demonstration. To our knowledge, only two of those officers interacted with demonstrators and their representatives.
Were Massachusetts State Police officers present on April 30?
Massachusetts State Police were available for mutual aid but remained in a parking lot more than a quarter mile away from the demonstration. These officers were not called on for support and did not leave that parking lot.
Did officers wear riot gear?
No. Neither UMPD officers - the only officers anywhere near the demonstration - nor the mutual aid officers who were available but not called on for support, wore riot gear. UMPD officers wore standard uniforms.
Did police block or restrict access to the encampment?
No. UMPD only blocked off the portion of the DuBois Library terrace overlooking the encampment to ensure safety. There were no restrictions to the encampment itself.
Were demonstrators threatened with academic sanctions?
No. Academic sanctions are an academic matter solely based on GPA.
Were student conduct staff present at the encampment?
No. Student conduct staff were not present at and did not engage with the demonstrators in any way.
What did the Demonstration Response and Safety Team say regarding the presence of police?
Staff members on the Demonstration Response and Safety Team read the following notices on Monday and Tuesday: "We support your First Amendment right to free speech. While you can remain in this space to demonstrate, you are directed to take down tents immediately … Please dismantle your tents and structures now. Any unclaimed tents and gear will be removed by the university. Should you continue to not comply with university directions, UMPD will be notified, which may result in your arrest."
I hope this information helps provide a factual, shared basis for our continued conversations and work.
Sincerely,
Mike Malone
Interim Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs