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Kathianne
04-25-2024, 06:53 PM
That broke a story of what the lefties are planning for next week. We'll see how it plays out, but it seems they are waiting to see what the administrators are going to do, with KNOWN prior knowledge. Lots of links at site:

https://thechicagothinker.com/breaking-at-uchicago-students-plan-to-emulate-columbia-protests/


BREAKING: At UChicago, Students Plan to Emulate Columbia ProtestsLeaked group chat messages reveal pro-Palestinian students’ plans to set up an encampment and occupy buildings on Main Quad.
byKenzi Bustamante April 24, 2024 in News Reading Time: 4 mins read
12
BREAKING: At UChicago, Students Plan to Emulate Columbia Protests
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Startling group chat messages exposed by the Chicago Thinker reveal that on Wednesday, May 1, Students for Justice in Palestine at The University of Chicago (SJP UChicago) plans to emulate recent protests at Columbia University. It becomes the latest development in a wave of protests at colleges across the country, including Yale and New York University, as tensions around the Israel-Hamas war rise.


Demonstrations at Columbia began last Thursday with pro-Palestinian students and protesters pitching tents in key campus spots, resulting in about 100 arrests by the New York Police Department. Administrators at the university have since announced that it will transition to hybrid classes for the remainder of the semester. The decision comes amidst grave concerns expressed by Jewish students. In one video posted on X, a masked protestor appeared to shout “Go back to Poland!”




Protests at Columbia University resulted in the NYPD arresting about 100 demonstrators last week
At UChicago, SJP protestors are aiming to take over the university’s Main Quad and camp out for an extended period. A Telegram group chat details their plans to occupy campus buildings and get arrested for trespassing in order to draw attention to their cause. The demonstrations will last “at least for… two nights.”


The texts also reveal that National Students for Justice in Palestine is playing a crucial role in organizing the protest. Members of the group are offering media support and are sharing experiences from their involvement in the events at Columbia.




A Telegram group chat between pro-Palestinian students at UChicago and an onboarding form reveal details of a planned protest on May 1
SJP UChicago’s strategy takes further inspiration from similar events at California State Polytechnic University, where students barricaded themselves in a university building on Monday evening. Police have been unable to remove them and the occupation has forced administrators to temporarily close the university, meaning students are to enter school buildings for classes or work. Students occupying the building published advice for other protestors. Leaders in the SJP UChicago group chat summarized these points and are encouraging people to replicate them.


“1. Occupying buildings is more effective


2. Being in buildings gives us lots of materials (tables, unhinged doors, chairs) to use as barriers


3. We’d be a lot more defenseless and easy to scatter if we occupy the quad


4. Being inside frays the police across the building and its entrances


5. Could also be more comfortable for campers bc shelter, bathrooms, water, etc


6. Come prepared with goggles, gas masks, etc.”


According to a statement from UChicago published on December 21, 2023, in the wake of the Rosenwald Hall SJP sit-in, “University policies protect the right to protest while making it clear that demonstrations cannot jeopardize safety or disrupt the University’s operations and the ability of people in the University to carry out their work.”


Multi-day building occupations violate this policy and present a significant threat to all students on campus.


SJP UChicago has organized multiple “orientations” and “trainings” to equip members for the protest. Among themselves, they demand “DISCRETION” regarding members’ identities and plans.




At Columbia, billionaire donor Robert Kraft rescinded funding after six days of occupancy. Officials at Harvard University have preemptively closed Harvard Yard in anticipation of protests.


UChicago leadership has yet to outline its strategy to protect students and staff.


If you would like to donate to victims of the war, please consider visiting the Red Cross website.


Kenzi Bustamante
Kenzi Bustamante is a third-year in the College studying Biology and Public Policy. Her Christian faith encourages her to balance truth and grace in everything she does. She grew up in rural Missouri and has enjoyed broadening her cultural knowledge through language and study-abroad programs at the University of Chicago.

Gunny
04-26-2024, 06:55 AM
That broke a story of what the lefties are planning for next week. We'll see how it plays out, but it seems they are waiting to see what the administrators are going to do, with KNOWN prior knowledge. Lots of links at site:

https://thechicagothinker.com/breaking-at-uchicago-students-plan-to-emulate-columbia-protests/Do you really think the illustrious, jellyfish Mayor of Chicago is going to do anything preemptive? Blue city policy is wait until after it happens them run around with hair on fire.

Have to wonder why? In the end, even the spineless wretch running Columbia refused to give in demands. One thing Dems love more than their Hamas-loving students is their money, even if it's Jewish. I'm all for these "institutions of higher learning" divesting themselves of Israeli/Jewish and military production money. Most would have to close their doors without it.

Kathianne
04-26-2024, 09:06 AM
Do you really think the illustrious, jellyfish Mayor of Chicago is going to do anything preemptive? Blue city policy is wait until after it happens them run around with hair on fire.

Have to wonder why? In the end, even the spineless wretch running Columbia refused to give in demands. One thing Dems love more than their Hamas-loving students is their money, even if it's Jewish. I'm all for these "institutions of higher learning" divesting themselves of Israeli/Jewish and military production money. Most would have to close their doors without it.

The police can't act prior to some action. In a real way, neither can administrators, BUT they can make clear what rhey will allow and will not. Biggest decision is whether or not police will be brought in; under what circumstances; how firm they will hold and whether or not punishments will be mete out and to what extent. We'll see how it plays out.

Kathianne
04-26-2024, 12:24 PM
Some more, again, lots of links:

https://whyevolutionistrue.com/2024/04/25/campus-newspaper-sjp-plans-disruptions-at-the-university-of-chicago/


Campus newspaper: SJP plans Columbia-like disruptions at the University of ChicagoApril 25, 2024 • 9:00 am
Yay! It’s the University of Chicago’s turn to experience pro-Palestinian pandemonium! Tents on the quad! Occupation of buildings! I was feeling left out since the kiffeyeh-clad and Hamas-loving members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) hadn’t shown up here for a couple of weeks, but I did predict that they were up to something big. At first I thought it would be a demonstration during convocation, which is on June 1, but it turns out I was a month too late: the demonstrations are apparently planned for May 1 (May Day!).


This information, which of course could be erroneous but looks real, was obtained by someone who infiltrated an SJP chatgroup here, and dug up a lot of information about their plans. The details are given in an article in the conservative student paper here, The Chicago Thinker, I’ll give the text and some revealing screenshots:


Startling group chat messages exposed by the Chicago Thinker reveal that on Wednesday, May 1, Students for Justice in Palestine at The University of Chicago (SJP UChicago) plans to emulate recent protests at Columbia University. It becomes the latest development in a wave of protests at colleges across the country, including Yale and New York University, as tensions around the Israel-Hamas war rise.


At UChicago, SJP protestors are aiming to take over the university’s Main Quad and camp out for an extended period. A Telegram group chat details their plans to occupy campus buildings and get arrested for trespassing in order to draw attention to their cause. The demonstrations will last “at least for… two nights.”


The texts also reveal that National Students for Justice in Palestine is playing a crucial role in organizing the protest. Members of the group are offering media support and are sharing experiences from their involvement in the events at Columbia.


Below are some mediocre-quality screenshots of chat messages from the Thinker as well as an “onboarding form” for prospective protestors. The first entry comes from a National Students for Justice in Palestine member, showing what we already knew: the protests across the U.S. (SJP has 200 campus branches) is coordinated by the National SJP organization. I always wonder who’s funding this group.


“PYM” in the second note is the Palestinian Youth Movement, apparently also involved. Since many of them are not students, there will clearly be some trespassing if this takes place. Note to campus cops: be sure to check IDs.

...

Kathianne
04-26-2024, 02:07 PM
Truth-focus on one university-Columbia-totally destroy its reputation for egregious discrimination against Jews as an example for all the others. To a degree I think Harvard has been a start, but not enough obviously:

https://graboyes.substack.com/p/columbia-delenda-est

Kathianne
04-27-2024, 11:27 AM
How it should be done:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/university-florida-clear-consequences-disruptive-student-faculty-protesters


University of Florida lays out clear consequences for disruptive student, faculty protestersFlorida's flagship university draws the line as anti-Israel protests rage on campuses across the US


By Breck Dumas FOXBusiness


Anti-Israel protests are ‘worst advertisement for Ivy League job applicants’: Charlie Gasparino
FOX Business’ Charlie Gasparino reports on how campus politicization may impact students’ futures as corporate recruiters look past Ivy League applicants.


Florida's flagship university is making it clear that the disruptive anti-Israel protests occurring at colleges across the U.S. will not be tolerated on its campuses.




The University of Florida released a directive Friday spelling out what is and is not acceptable behavior for those who wish to express their right to free speech at the school, along with the consequences for students or employees who cross the line.




The memo obtained by FOX Business clarifies that demonstrators may engage in speech, expressing viewpoints and holding signs in their hands, but lists a litany of prohibited activities including "amplified sound," holding protests inside campus buildings, issuing threats or engaging in violence.


ANTISEMITISM ON CAMPUS SURGES AS AGITATORS TAKE OVER


The University of Florida also noted explicitly that no tents or sleeping bags are allowed as part of demonstrations on campus, serving as a warning to activists who might want to set up a similar encampment to those that have cropped up at other schools since pro-Palestinian demonstrators set one up at Columbia University more than a week ago.




The vast majority of America's top 50 colleges have seen anti-Israel protests crop up over the past week, with some demonstrations leading to the arrest of dozens of participants.


There have been several reports of antisemitic harassment stemming from protests, leading a number of schools to cancel in-person classes out of concern for the safety of Jewish students and faculty.


COLUMBIA PROTEST LEADER EXPRESSES ‘REGRET’ FOR DISCUSSING ‘MURDERING ZIONISTS,’ SAYING THEY SHOULDN'T EXIST




In many of the demonstrations, outside activists and professors have joined in with marching students, demanding schools divest from Israel.


But at the University of Florida, disruptive protesters can expect to be booted out for good.


The school said anyone engaged in the prohibited activities listed in its directive face being trespassed, and students who break the rules will be banned from the campus for three years and suspended.


Employees of the university, including professors, who engage in the prohibited activities face termination.


When reached for comment about the memo, University of Florida VP of Communications James Wegmann told FOX Business, "This is Adulting 101: Actions have consequences."







Division of Student Life:


Allowable Activities


Speech
Expressing viewpoints
Holding signs in hands


Prohibitive Items and Activities


No amplified sound
No demonstrations inside buildings
No littering
No sleeping
No unmanned signs
No blocking ingress/egress
No building of structures (chairs, stakes, benches, tables)
No camping, including tents, sleeping bags, pillows, etc.
No disruption
No threats
No violence
No weapons
Any other items and/or activities deemed to be non-compliant with policy and regulations by
university officials.


Consequences for Non-Compliance


Individuals found responsible for engaging in prohibited activities shall be trespassed from
campus.
Students will receive a 3 year trespass and suspension.
Employees will be trespassed and separated from employment.

Gunny
04-29-2024, 01:08 PM
How it should be done:

https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/university-florida-clear-consequences-disruptive-student-faculty-protestersSaw on Fox where allegedly Soros is funding these professional protestors that are riling up everyone. Haven't seen anything else on it but I long ago figured out mentioning Soros' name is taboo with the leftist MSM.

Kathianne
05-03-2024, 02:00 PM
Bad news, encampment set up. Good news, they're not destroying anything, yet. No stopping Jewish students, significant minority on campus. Bad news, Bill Ayers is there. Good news, reminds people of Obama/Biden background.


Bill Ayers Is Back and Bringing 1968 Vibes With HimKAREN TOWNSEND 12:00 PM | May 03, 2024



AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
Bill Ayers, a domestic terrorist from the 1960s, is back. He's out reminiscing about the good old days and inspiring the pro-Hamas protesters on the University of Chicago campus.


To walk down memory lane a little bit, Ayers was a co-founder of the Weather Underground. It was a revolutionary group that sought to overthrow what they viewed as American imperialism. The group was designated as a domestic terrorist group by the FBI. The group set off bombs at public buildings during the 1960s and 1970s to protest the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War. Fortunately, there were no deaths caused by their bombs - except for three members of the group who were killed when one of their devices accidentally exploded. That seemed like karma.


Ayers was hunted as a fugitive for years until charges against him were dropped due to illegal actions by the FBI agents who were pursuing him and others. So, naturally, Ayers landed at the University of Chicago as a professor in the School of Education.


His wife is Bernadine Dohm. She was also a leader in Weather Underground. She went on to be a lawyer and law professor. They were both University of Chicago students when they turned to domestic terrorism. It was the 60s.


Back in the day, they chose big targets for bombing. Ayers was hunted by the FBI for his (alleged) involvement in the 1970 bombing of the New York City Police Department headquarters, the 1971 bombing of the United States Capitol building, and the 1972 bombing of the Pentagon. In the years that followed those bombings, Ayers defended them. I wonder if he still does.


A return to 1968 is happening within the Democrat Party. The far-left tends to be violent and loves chaos. It's the party's history. This year has a 1968 vibe to it because of the demonstrations that turn into riots on college campuses, allegedly in the name of supporting Gazans. It took a few weeks but the truth has been exposed - they support Hamas and wish for the destruction of Israel, all Jews, and America.


It seems appropriate that Bill Ayers, now listed as a creative writing lecturer in the school's Division of the Humanities, returns to inspire the useful idiots to continue their demonstrations. About seven hours into a demonstration at the encampment formed on the Main Quadrangle or "Quad" of the University of Chicago Monday, Bombin' Bill showed up for the kids.


He is about the last person the wanna-be members of Hamas need for inspiration. It is because of professors like him that college kids with brains full of mush arrive at college and are indoctrinated with Marxist propaganda. Fever dreams of anarchy and the overthrow of America are alive and well.


Let's not forget that Ayers and Barack Obama had a connection in Chicago. Michelle Obama worked as a member of leadership at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Ayers hosted the first fundraising event at his home when Obama ran for office in 1995. Obama downplayed his friendship with Ayers when he ran for president, for obvious reasons. We haven't heard from Obama about the campus chaos that has spread across the country, have we? Funny. He usually doesn't hesitate to weigh in on controversial issues.


The retired professor’s relationship with former President Barack Obama became a controversial element of Obama’s 2008 campaign after reports circulated that the then-candidate was a guest at Ayers' home in 1995. The former president and Ayers also had overlapping service on the board of directors of the Woods Fund of Chicago between 1999 and 2002, though allegations of a close relationship between the two were disputed by Obama as well as several media outlets.


The Democrat convention will be held in Chicago this summer. There is the likelihood that it will turn into violent chaos like the 1968 Democrat convention in Chicago. Does anyone think the far-left mayor, Brandon Johnson, is ready to handle hosting the convention? Chicago is chaotic enough on a regular day, it is hard to imagine the city hosting the convention as pro-Hamas protesters follow Biden and other Democrats to disrupt events on the campaign trail.


The revolution is being televised. What is old is new again. Bill Ayers is helping to usher it all back in again. This is Biden's America.

Black Diamond
05-03-2024, 02:17 PM
Yeah i remember being told there was nothing to see re. Obama and ayers

Kathianne
05-03-2024, 02:28 PM
Yeah i remember being told there was nothing to see re. Obama and ayers
The article just scratches the surface. Ayers dad, President of Commonwealth Edison, helped Obama with universities, jobs, and launching political career. Bill was first one to hold fundraiser for Obama.

There's more, but I did all this back when he ran.

Kathianne
05-03-2024, 06:19 PM
Police are arriving. Funny, I've been trying to get some more info on how things were going there, only saw a few pics; per usual, it's a nerdy bunch. Few wear the Pali scarves-they find 'cool' not their thing. There's always one or two, but that was my observations. Also seems that the demonstrations weren't too over the top, no taking of buildings, etc. They just defied the hours set for 'loud.' Good education, weird peers.

https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2024/05/03/university-of-chicago-president-calls-for-an-end-to-encampment-n3787753


University of Chicago President Calls for an End to EncampmentJOHN SEXTON 6:40 PM | May 03, 2024



It's starting to look like the encampment at the University of Chicago could be the next to go. The school's president has said it "cannot continue" and police seem to be arriving on campus.


The University has determined that the pro-Palestine encampment on the main quad is substantially disrupting the functioning and safety of the University, according to an email sent to the University community by President Paul Alivisatos...


“As I wrote on Monday, out of principle we provide the greatest leeway possible for free expression, even expression of viewpoints that some find deeply offensive, even in rare cases at the expense of some policy violations—for a time,” Alivisatos wrote in the email. “But the encampment cannot continue.”


Alivisatos cited the disruption of classes, vandalism of University property, destruction of approved student installations, and the raising of the Palestinian flag on the main quad flagpole as reasons for escalating the University’s position...


“Left to itself, there is no end in sight, and the disruptions will continue to mount,” Alivisatos wrote. “The encampment protesters have flouted our policies rather than working within them, despite UChicago being an institution that allows for many ways to express views.”


There was a counter-protest on campus today which set off the pro-Palestinian group. The counter-protesters waved American flags and marched toward the encampment.




As you can see from this angle, this guy wasn't walking into protesters, protesters were forming a human wall in his path.




They also chanted "USA!" at the pro-Palestinian protesters.




At some point, police separated the two groups.




Here's what happened according to the Sun Times:


Shortly after 12:30 p.m., the counter-protest arrived near the previously peaceful encampment, with some members carrying American flags. Encampment demonstrators chanted “Disclose, Divest, we will not step, we will not rest,” while the opposing group chanted “U.S.A.” Some shoved and threw punches during the skirmish. No arrests were made.


Campus police arrived at the confrontation in riot gear, including shields and batons, standing between the two groups. An alert was sent out to the university community around 1:15 p.m. saying to avoid the main quad due to reports of a “physical altercation.” The rest of the campus seemed unaffected, as a group of people played with a frisbee on the same quad.


So far the only violence I've seen is this, which according to the caption was against a "Zionist."




So is the campus about to be cleared by the police? That seems likely to happen but so far there aren't enough police to make it happen. Maybe they'll ramp up later this evening or maybe they are waiting for the weekend. But given the president's statement, I don't think it will be too much longer.


Finally, here's a local news report on the situation today. Notice that one student interviewed in this report says the only altercation she witnessed was someone trying to grab the American flag from the guy who was holding it.

Gunny
05-04-2024, 05:02 PM
Police are arriving. Funny, I've been trying to get some more info on how things were going there, only saw a few pics; per usual, it's a nerdy bunch. Few wear the Pali scarves-they find 'cool' not their thing. There's always one or two, but that was my observations. Also seems that the demonstrations weren't too over the top, no taking of buildings, etc. They just defied the hours set for 'loud.' Good education, weird peers.

https://hotair.com/john-s-2/2024/05/03/university-of-chicago-president-calls-for-an-end-to-encampment-n3787753

Can't have those counter-protesters. That's not FOS. Get the riot cops to handle those zionist a-holes:rolleyes:

This is actually dumber than doing nothing.

Kathianne
05-04-2024, 05:05 PM
Can't have those counter-protesters. That's not FOS. Get the riot cops to handle those zionist a-holes:rolleyes:

This is actually dumber than doing nothing.
Like I said, weirdest university I've attended. Doesn't really resemble the others, which is per usual. They had some Jewish students, waving Israeli flags and holding placards; there were some carrying American flags and pushing any Pali backers out of the wave-that was the most 'violence' I saw. Now may be missing stuff, though I've watch CBS Chicago news on Paramount+.

Gunny
05-04-2024, 05:10 PM
Like I said, weirdest university I've attended. Doesn't really resemble the others, which is per usual. They had some Jewish students, waving Israeli flags and holding placards; there were some carrying American flags and pushing any Pali backers out of the wave-that was the most 'violence' I saw. Now may be missing stuff, though I've watch CBS Chicago news on Paramount+.

I don't have a problem with pushing people out. I'm not real big on assault laws without context. If they push their way in, they can pushed right back out, IMO.

Kathianne
05-04-2024, 05:13 PM
I don't have a problem with pushing people out. I'm not real big on assault laws without context. If they push their way in, they can pushed right back out, IMO.

The Pro-Palis tried to block their forward motion, didn't go well. No one threw punches, most wouldn't dare. Seriously, it's just not done. But pushing out of way, sure.

Meanwhile, seems the police are still just observing, not much going on but noise at off times in afternoon.

Gunny
05-04-2024, 05:15 PM
The Pro-Palis tried to block their forward motion, didn't go well. No one threw punches, most wouldn't dare. Seriously, it's just not done. But pushing out of way, sure.

Meanwhile, seems the police are still just observing, not much going on but noise at off times in afternoon.
Needs to be more of that going around.

Kathianne
05-12-2024, 11:47 PM
I got to say, 50 years later, the school hasn't changed much. Interesting but very nerdy student body. Profs actually are more 'with it' than students, you can see that by senior year, many of the kids are actually norming out some. High school sucked for most. LOL!

So here's the top administrator, explaining how he chose eventually to bring in police and shut down the encampment. He explains why they chose to give it a few days and why 'talks' failed. Basically, 'the students don't run school investments-the board does' and it's long term not a 4 year gig. They won't be forced to choose a winning side-oh if only are political leaders would do the same-they need to respect all.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/why-i-ended-the-university-of-chicago-protest-encampment-7bc59b46?st=0ra7z7nhkyhkdsl&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink


Why I Ended the University of Chicago Protest EncampmentStudents demanded that we side against Israel, violating the core principle of institutional neutrality.
By Paul Alivisatos
May 7, 2024 5:01 pm ET

Anti-Israel protesters at the University of Chicago chant at police, May 7. PHOTO: CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/ASSOCIATED PRESS
Chicago


As president of the University of Chicago, I ended the encampment that occupied the University’s Main Quad for more than a week. The Tuesday morning action resulted in no arrests. Recent months have seen tremendous contention over protests on campuses, including pressure campaigns from every direction. That made this a decision of enormous import for the university.


When the encampment formed on our campus, I said I would uphold the university’s principles and resist the forces tearing at the fabric of higher education. I didn’t direct immediate action against the encampment. I authorized discussions with the protesters regarding an end to the encampment in response to some of their demands. But when I concluded that the essential goals that animated those demands were incompatible with deep principles of the university, I decided to end the encampment with intervention.


Some universities have chosen to block encampments from forming at all or ended them within an hour or so. We had the means to do so. Immediate intervention is consistent with enforcing reasonable regulations on the time, place and manner of speech, and it has the advantage of minimizing disruption. Yet strict adherence to every policy—the suppression of discord to promote harmony—comes at a cost. Discord is almost required for the truth-seeking function of a university to be genuine.


Protest is a strongly protected form of speech in the University of Chicago culture, enshrined in the Chicago Principles for a reason. In times of discord, protest serves as a mechanism for democratic societies, and places of reason like universities, to find a way back toward dialogue and compromise. This has value even if protests result in disruption or violate the rules—up to a point. When a protest substantially interferes with the learning, research and operations of the university, when it meaningfully diminishes the free-expression rights of others—as happened with this encampment—then it must come to an end, through dialogue or intervention.


Therefore, it was a crucial decision whether to seek a dialogue to resolve a disruptive protest. Some will argue that the moral hazard of even holding such discussions is so severe that they should never be undertaken at all—that no agreement could possibly be legitimate if it originated from these circumstances. Others will say such dialogue should always be sought. I believe dialogue may be appropriate under certain circumstances, provided that protesters come to it openly with an understanding that the consequences of their policy violations will be reviewed evenhandedly. The same applies to discipline now that the encampment has ended.


So I authorized the opening of dialogue with the protesters, even though that extended the number of days the university was disrupted. I won’t describe the sequence or the content of those discussions, since we agreed that our exchanges would remain private unless and until we reached a favorable conclusion. During our substantive dialogue, there were some very difficult moments, but also moments of progress. The student-protester representatives offered analytical arguments and made powerful statements; their faculty representatives and liaisons also made important contributions. I believe that the administration representatives showed respect for their interlocutors and came to the discussions with genuine openness and a willingness to look for ways to make it work.


Why then didn’t we reach a resolution? Because at the core of the demands was what I believe is a deep disagreement about a principle, one that can’t be papered over with carefully crafted words, creative adjustments to programming, or any other negotiable remedy.


The disagreement revolves around institutional neutrality—a foundational value to the University of Chicago. It is a principle animated by the idea that authority can’t establish truth for an entire institution dedicated to truth-seeking; rather, it is the imperative of individuals to seek truth without being limited by authority. Institutional neutrality vests freedom of inquiry and speech directly in faculty and students, where it belongs.


Underpinning the demands was a call for the university to diminish ties with Israel and increase ties with the Palestinians in Gaza. In short, the protesters were determined that the university should take sides in the conflict in Israel and Gaza. Other demands would have led to having political goals guide core aspects of the university’s institutional approaches, from how we invest our endowment to when and how I make statements. Faculty members and students are more than free to engage in advocacy on one side or the other. But if the university did so as an institution, it would no longer be much of a university.


As the depth of this philosophical difference became clearer, I decided to end the dialogue. I yielded on some time, place and manner policies and allowed some degree of disruption in favor of protest, regardless of viewpoint; engaged in dialogue with those who were disrupting the university so long as they were prepared to face discipline. But there is no way I would ever compromise on institutional neutrality.


Mr. Alivisatos is president of the University of Chicago.