Dear students,
The tragic loss of innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives have created great pain for so many of us in the University of Rochester community.
At times like these, it’s especially important that we hold ourselves to a standard of mutual respect and respectful discourse. A key element of this discourse is understanding that what one person says or does can sometimes be interpreted differently from that person’s intent. Very rarely are we truly able to know a person’s intent from their words and actions, which is why thoughtful and intentional conversation and dialogue are so important.
Similarly, that discourse is about building understanding, and on some occasions, even finding common ground. Everyone has a right to their own feelings and interpretations when they hear our words and experience our actions.
Our protest guidelines make it clear that the University fully supports the exercise of free speech and peaceful assembly by members of the University community on University property, so long as it does not disrupt classes or other University activities, prevent free movement, or pose a risk to the health or safety of anyone. Examples of these disruptions include demonstrations that inhibit study in the libraries or other public spaces; blocking entry to or exit from dining facilities, residence halls, or any other building; and gathering in buildings that do not have the necessary occupancy capacity as required by fire codes.
As an institution striving to be ever better ourselves, we engage in our own reflection and consider whether we have lived up to our own standards. Sometimes our actions, regardless of intent, cause harm to others and we must remind ourselves that others have a right to their own feelings.
A case in point: On October 20, several student groups hosted an event in the Interfaith Chapel entitled “Understanding and Healing: The Palestinian Genocide.” Given the likely size of the gathering and the potential for non-student disruptors, which has happened at many pro-Israel and pro-Palestine gatherings around the country, our procedure was to have an unobtrusive Public Safety presence near that event as well as at a Hillel Shabbat observance taking place in the same building, the time and location of which could not be moved. We have taken a similar approach to support a broad range of safe and respectful student gatherings.
We made a mistake by not communicating this in advance to the event’s organizers, who consequently and understandably felt marginalized and othered by the University. Our intent to keep our students safe, with a particular concern about outside agitators, made some students feel profiled. We acknowledge the offense and fear this may have caused, and we regret that we made some of you feel this way.
Moving forward, we will better communicate our policies, procedures, and guidelines.
To that end, we will reiterate that as an institution that values discourse and dialogue, we must simultaneously preserve students’ rights to free expression and maintain the safety and security of our University community members. As such, we are enforcing several key elements of our University policies and protocols on campus safety, demonstrations, and protests regardless of the topic:
- Protests and demonstrations must not block entry to or exit from buildings or spaces within buildings. It is essential that protests do not disrupt classroom, study, dining facilities, transportation, and other University operations. These disruptions are a direct violation of the University’s guidelines for free speech and peaceful protest.
- The University reserves the right to refuse access to the campus to anyone who is not a member of the University community. In certain circumstances we may permit participation by individuals who are not members, but those individuals must leave when the activities have ended.
- Use of bullhorns, microphones, loudspeakers, and other amplification tools are only permitted at registered student events when prior authorization has been received. Use of these amplification tools at indoor protests and demonstrations are necessarily disruptive and therefore prohibited.
As a reminder, the Standards of Student Conduct addresses student speech and behavior that may lead to discipline.
We acknowledge that these are challenging and difficult times for many members of our community. By adhering to these guidelines and following the principles of respectful discourse, we can help ensure that our entire community feels safe and welcome.
Sincerely,
David Figlio
Provost and Gordon Fyfe Professor of Economics and Education
Jeffrey Runner
Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Dean of the College
Anne-Marie Algier
Interim Dean of Students
The introductory sentence of Provost David Figlio’s message has been slightly modified from the version that was emailed to students.