Dear Tulane Community:

This week has amplified a challenging year for all of us. We have heard from many in our community. We understand there are deep convictions regarding current events, including the protests that took place earlier this week outside of Gibson Hall. We continue to listen and learn from you. We offer our unequivocal care and compassion, and all appropriate university resources to everyone who has been affected by the events of this difficult week.

As campus leaders, our primary responsibility is to ensure the safety of our community and foster an inclusive academic community where all are welcomed, secure, and able to freely express themselves and explore and learn within the bounds of our codes of conduct. We fully support the freedom of speech and assembly. These rights must be exercised, however, in a manner that does not disrupt our academic mission, compromise the safety or the free speech of others, or hinder support systems for our students.

This morning, representatives of university leadership met with a group of Tulane students and separately with a group of faculty who presented letters to the administration related to the war in the Middle East. The representatives' goal in meeting with these students and faculty is to move forward from the events earlier this week and enter a period of ongoing, respectful, and constructive dialogue.

We are writing to share more and offer the framework in which we acted to uphold the principles of free speech, the right to peaceful demonstration, the power of our students to enact positive change, and our commitment to stewarding a safe and constructive environment where diverse identities and perspectives are respected.

The privilege to host demonstrations on university property is reserved for all recognized student organizations. Our Freedom to Demonstrate protocols govern how we consider these requests and ensure consistent and fair treatment for all proposals. The most recent request from Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to host a gathering that was to be held Monday, April 29, was approved. However, the organization also asked that non-Tulane community members be allowed to participate in the event. Consistent with our polices, the appeal for non-Tulane affiliates to join the gathering was denied. The SDS then decided to cancel their approved event and instead hold an unregistered event on Freret Street, which is a public space and outside of our control, specifically so that they could invite outside community members to join their protest.

Planning this protest on city property bypassed our policies related to demonstrations, which are in place to ensure the safety of all. As is our practice, Student Affairs leaders provided SDS with clear warnings against using inciteful language, chanting antisemitic slogans, flouting noise ordinances, and erecting unlawful encampments. The organizers and participants, the overwhelming majority of whom were not affiliated with Tulane, however, proceeded to trespass campus property with an unregistered, unauthorized and unlawful demonstration. This included antisemitic chanting, disruptive noise, and shoving police in order to set up an illegal barricaded presence on campus. The result was the creation of an encampment that forced the closure of three academic buildings and disrupted classes, events and general university operations.

This was directly counter to our rules and unacceptable. For almost two days we repeatedly offered clear direction, both verbally and in writing, to disperse the illegal encampment. Protesters were given ample time, opportunity and choice to disperse. Please know that during this time we received many, many reports about deeply disturbing behavior by some protesters and counter protesters. For example, some of those who participated in the demonstration used antisemitic language and signage while some counter-protestors used Islamophobic language. Moreover, outside groups were supplying the encampment with barricades including tires, chains and pallets that created the potential for real danger.

In addition, dedicated employees who worked to keep everyone safe were harassed, cursed at, and subject to various forms of intimidation. None of these actions from anyone inside or outside of the Tulane community is acceptable or will be tolerated on our property. All of these reports are being investigated by the appropriate departments.

The decision to clear the encampment was informed by the factors described above and to avoid the kind of dangerous escalation occurring at other universities across the nation. It was motivated foremost by the desire to pursue the safest and clearest path and minimize harm. To emphasize, our students, and the other participants were given clear and escalating warnings for days, and even in the final moments, the participants were encouraged to leave to avoid arrest. Our only goal was to clear the encampment from our campus, and our desire was to do that without any arrests. Most left the encampment at that time, but some chose instead to remain behind to be arrested.

We fully acknowledge that security measures may have appeared to be discomforting to many. It was not a decision made lightly. Our fundamental goal was to minimize risks of escalation, violence, and chaos that would further jeopardize the safety and well-being of our Tulane community.

Finally, concerns have been raised regarding the status of those involved in the protest. It's important to clarify that while interim measures have been taken, students are aware of the immediate appeal process available to them. Everyone will be afforded due process, and the investigation and adjudication will be conducted in a fair and consistent manner according to our established policies and practices.

As we navigate through the remainder of the academic term and prepare for finals and commencement, we encourage each of you to engage with the resources available to support your well-being and facilitate meaningful dialogue. Students seeking help can call 504-920-9900. Employees can call 1-800-624-5544.

Our work now is to join together for the good of our students, our campus and the world. We must remember the shared values and bonds that define us as a university community.

Michael A. Fitts, President
Robin Forman, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost
Patrick Norton, Senior Vice President/Chief Operating Officer/Treasurer