Dear Academic Community:
By now word will have reached many of you about an unsanctioned group, including some New Paltz students, that has set up tents and other temporary structures on campus in an act of demonstration, following the example of similar demonstrations that have taken place at colleges and universities across the U.S. this spring.
I write to provide information about how we are responding to this fluid situation; outline what our goals and priorities are in developing an institutional response; and share my hopes and an invitation for how members of our community – students, faculty, staff – can collectively and collaboratively contribute to achieving those goals.
Among our primary goals is the removal of the tents. Our Student Handbook is clear that “no person shall erect a tent, lean-to, or other temporary structure with the intent to utilize such for overnight occupancy” on campus grounds without prior authorization. This is a policy violation that puts students at risk for student conduct referral. We are an institution that prioritizes the success of each and every one of our students, and that mission requires us to be transparent about how students can avoid consequences that interfere with their success here. I have spoken directly with the demonstrators, advised them of our policy, and urged them to take down these temporary structures and follow our well-established guidelines for free speech on campus.
It is also of utmost importance that we successfully complete the academic year and protect the many planned celebrations of students’ success and excellence. I am particularly sensitive to the experience of this year’s graduating seniors, many of whom came to campus in 2020 after having been deprived of traditional high school graduation events by the COVID-19 pandemic. This class has overcome extraordinary adversity and deserves a joyful conclusion to their SUNY New Paltz experience.
Our every aspiration is to achieve these goals through open dialogue with demonstrators, and we intend to exhaust all options to arrive at resolution with zero people injured and zero people arrested. We are also duty-bound to protect the safety of the campus and all of its constituents.
If you are reading this message, you have an opportunity to help our University achieve these goals. Trusted faculty and staff, student leaders and those participating in these demonstrations: I invite you to work with us to promote a path to constructive dialogue and de-escalation.
Please understand that there are alternative options available to exercise free speech on our public university campus in ways that do not imperil student success at our institution. Please take time to understand our policies and the potential consequences of non-compliance for the students who are among the demonstrators. Please reject any hatred, bigotry, racism, intolerance, antisemitism, Islamophobia and violence that so deeply contradict our institutional values. Thank you for your support.
Sincerely,
Darrell P. Wheeler
President
