This statement was emailed to UO faculty, staff, and students from Student Life and Safety and Risk Services on April 29, 2024.
Authored by Kris Winter, Interim Vice President for Student Life, and André Le Duc, Vice President and Chief Resilience Officer

On the morning of Monday, April 29, a tent encampment of roughly 20 tents was created at the University of Oregon’s Memorial Quad. As of noon on Monday, participants are students primarily representing non-UO affiliated student groups including, but not limited to, Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voices for Peace.

Our educational mission is our highest priority, which requires that we focus on the safety and wellbeing of our students and campus community. We uphold the constitutional right to free speech and peaceful dissent. At the same time, we also uphold the right for all our students to receive their education, to participate in and attend classes, and to do so safely and without intimidation. We would like to remind the student community of expectations of appropriate behavior as outlined in the Student Conduct Code, and resources available to them – including support for mental health and well-being.

As we have seen over the last week, universities across the nation who have taken a hard stance – including calling in law enforcement as an early response – have seen an escalation in violence, including harm to bystanders and students alike. In keeping with our longstanding protocols, university representatives have been in communication with those participating, outlining relevant institutional policies, and advising them of an existing reservation for that space later this week. Representatives from the Division of Student Life and Safety and Risk Services are committed to remaining engaged with the students with the goal of centering student safety.

We are actively monitoring this situation to ensure the safety and well-being of students, faculty, and staff on campus. This includes remaining watchful for participation by non-student demonstrators, who may adversely affect or redirect this activity on our campus. We will continue to remind students participating in the encampment of relevant policies and possible repercussions based on violations of the Student Conduct Code and will be watchful for any disruption to educational or business operations of the university.

Additional information will be published to the UO Alerts Blog as it becomes available.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there an encampment at UO?

Yes, on the morning of April 29, roughly 20 tents were erected by students representing non-affiliated student groups.

How is the university managing the encampment demonstration?

Safety is the university’s top priority. The university’s Demonstration Education & Safety Team will continue to have conversations with the organizers to remind them of our policies and procedures. The group has been provided with copies of relevant policies and procedures and has been informed of upcoming reservation conflicts for the space they are utilizing. The institution will monitor the situation and take appropriate action as necessary. The practicalities of enforcing campus rules governing free speech activities require careful evaluation of physical safety, the welfare of all involved and the use of multiple tools including the student conduct processes. Police play an important role in addressing safety issues but are usually reserved for situations involving threats to physical safety or property damage.

How is the university monitoring safety on campus?

The university has a Demonstration Education & Safety Team, whose charge is to plan for and monitor events to balance freedom of speech with safety, while also minimizing disruption to university operations. This team is actively engaged and monitoring this situation. The University of Oregon has its own police department that may be called upon to engage in scenarios where illegal activities take place or if there are threats to physical safety. We continue to monitor the situation carefully and work with students for the safety of the UO community.

What are the university’s rules about free speech?

Free speech is central to the academic mission and is the central tenet of a free and democratic society, upheld by the First Amendment of the US Constitution and Oregon Constitution. The university also upholds this value through our UO Policy on Freedom of Inquiry and Free Speech and our UO Policy on Academic Freedom.

What are the university’s rules about protests and demonstrations?

At the University of Oregon, established guidelines protect the right to free speech, while ensuring that opposing views may also be expressed. The university strives to balance the right to dissent with the right to be heard; the right to speak one’s mind with the right to listen. The university applies its rules and expectations in a manner neutral to the viewpoints expressed. Our guidelines on demonstrations are designed to balance these rights, keeping safety in mind for all those in our community.

What if I feel unsafe?

The physical safety of our students, faculty, and staff is critical to fulfilling our educational mission. As an institution, we strive to have a campus community where faculty, staff, and students feel comfortable and welcome. The university has multiple support options for students, faculty, and staff. This includes the Office of the Dean of Students, the Care and Advocacy Program, the Counseling Center, and the Duck Nest. Additional information about how students can receive support is available on the Dean of Students webpage. Students may also make an appointment with a Care and Advocacy Program team member.

The University of Oregon has its own police department that may be called upon to engage in scenarios where illegal activities take place or if there are immediate, specific, and targeted threats to physical safety. Refer to the resources listing below for a complete list for faculty, staff, and students.

Can the UO prohibit community members from participating in this demonstration?

The university campus is considered public space, meaning members of the community and visitors are free to come onto our campus. Visitors to the University of Oregon do however have the responsibility to obey federal and state laws, the municipal code, and University of Oregon rules and policies, and may be cited for trespass or subject to prosecution for any illegal behavior committed on campus.

What resources are available to faculty, staff, or students who need support?

• University Counseling Services is open until 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and offers 24-hour crisis support via phone; 541-346-3227.
• Duck Nest in EMU provides a place for students to practice self-care and life-balance. It is staffed by Peer Wellness Advocates.
• Download the UO Mobile App for easy access to safety resources, safe ride options, and maps.
• UOPD is available to provide free on-campus escorts if you are unable to find another shuttle, ride, or taxi: 541-346-2919 and press 1.
• Duck Rides is the primary nighttime transportation services for students, staff and faculty at the UO. The service is free and peer-to-peer, with students driving students. It runs seven days a week, 6 p.m. to midnight. Call 541-346-7433 or email duckrides@uoregon.edu to make a reservation.
• The university contracts with Canopy to provide a comprehensive employee assistance program for eligible employees and their dependents. The services are at no cost to eligible members.
• UO community members learn information and report a non-emergency concern about academic, student conduct, civil right violations using the Community Care and Support form.

How will information be shared?

Any community updates as the demonstration encampment continues will be shared via the UO Alerts page.