UM leadership’s message to Students for Justice in Palestine

July 9, 2024

Dear UM community,

On May 31, UM leadership met directly with encampment participants and communicated a fulsome response to their concerns. This included a comprehensive set of commitments UM made to all students and the broader community.

Unfortunately, encampment participants did not accept these commitments and have communicated they do not intend to dismantle the encampment.

UM leadership has reaffirmed our expectation that encampment participants dismantle the encampment and return the Quad for use by the entire university community.

UM respects the right to freedom of expression and to peacefully assemble and protest. We encourage students to participate in advocacy in ways that do not infringe upon the right to access public space by other student groups or impede the functioning of the university.

We ask encampment organizers to recognize that the Quad, like all university space, is intended for the enjoyment of the entire student community, and to work with us to peacefully end the encampment.

Please see UM leadership’s message to Students for Justice in Palestine below.

Sincerely,
Dr. Diane Hiebert-Murphy, Provost and Vice-President (Academic)

Dear Students for Justice in Palestine,

As noted previously, UM leadership received your concerns and carefully considered them. UM leadership representatives met with student representatives from the encampment along with neutral observers that accompanied the students to the meetings. UM has since provided a detailed response both verbally and in writing, which outlines the actions UM is taking to address those concerns. UM leadership will follow through with these commitments.

It is now the expectation of UM leadership that you peacefully dismantle the encampment and return the use of the Quad space to the entire UM community. Your right to peaceful protest does not include the ability to continuously occupy university space that is to be enjoyed by all community members. The current encampment has removed UM’s ability to control and use the Quad and is incompatible with UM policies.

Furthermore, UM’s insurance cannot cover any individual while they are participating in unauthorized activities on campus, which includes the encampment. As a result, individuals will be held liable for any injuries or damages caused or incurred.

UM will continue to support students in sharing their perspectives in ways that do not involve camping, erecting structures, blocking access to university property, or otherwise disrupting the functioning of the university.

UM will not be expanding on our previously communicated commitments or otherwise negotiating on your demands. We expect the peaceful removal of the encampment by 8:00 am on Monday, July 15 or UM will pursue legal remedies for its removal.

Office of the Provost