‘Difficult decision.’ UConn’s president addresses student arrests and campground removal.
The president of the University of Connecticut said it was a difficult decision to arrest two dozen students after campus police evicted a pro-Palestinian campsite on Tuesday. President Radenka Maric wrote in a letter to the university community on Wednesday that she “wished arrests could have been avoided, but we are grateful for the largely calm response and hope that this paves the way for constructive dialogue on very serious issues facing the global community in which we all live.”
On Tuesday morning, UConn police cleared the campsite on the Storrs campus where many students had been staying since April 26. The UConn Divest Coalition has urged that the institution divest its endowment from Israeli enterprises. According to school officials, the encampment was not registered and violated university policies and procedures.
According to officials, the administration advised the gathering of their expectations, which included ensuring the safety, health, and community standards of those assembled as well as any community members who may have been impacted by the encampment. On Sunday night, officials said, people at the encampment ignored the school’s rules and pitched tents. The group in the campground was given notice and the opportunity to comply with school-specific policies.
On Tuesday, when the school’s warnings were ignored, the gathering was asked to withdraw voluntarily so that the tents could be removed. Those who did not flee were detained. UConn police arrested a total of 25 persons.
Maric said that it was a “difficult day for the university that followed many weeks of enduring the stress of the conflict in Israel and Gaza.” A university representative confirmed that 24 are students and 1 is a former student. Everyone was charged with criminal trespass and disorderly conduct.
In the letter, Maric stated, “We encourage students to freely assemble at the Dove Tower or elsewhere on campus to express their views.” However, University policies and practices for such meetings must be followed, since they are in place to support all members of our community and our educational and research purpose. As a community, we must evaluate how to effectively encourage and foster constructive involvement and conversation on campus. This is an opportunity for us to welcome the varied perspectives that enrich our academic community.” The school will hold graduation ceremonies this weekend.