Interim President Ettinger, along with Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Croson, Vice President for Student Affairs Calvin Phillips, Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes Ramírez Fernández, and General Counsel Doug Peterson met with representatives from Students for Justice in Palestine, Students for a Democratic Society, Young Democratic Socialists of America, and Students for Climate Justice (self-identified as UMN Divest) on May 1. Follow-up conversations occurred later that evening and night.

Following a constructive dialogue the University and the student coalition came to an agreement. The coalition disbanded the encampment. In addition, the student coalition committed to not organizing disruptions at upcoming final exams and commencements. 

Representatives of the coalition will be provided an opportunity to address the Board of Regents at its May 10 meeting. The University agreed to additional next steps to continue progress on the coalition’s other concerns — including an additional meeting in the coming weeks. Read the full agreement.

UMN Divest, the self-identified coalition that agreed to end the encampment, agreed to not organize disruptions at commencement activities. Read the full agreement.

Commencement events are milestone celebrations for graduating students and their families, and our goal is to ensure students can be properly celebrated for their achievements and that they and their families have a safe and accessible experience. 

The University honors free speech and the expression rights of our community members. However, demonstrations or disruptive activities are not permitted inside commencement venues, to ensure access and enjoyment for all. We have plans in place should these situations arise. In addition, commencement planners are coordinating with the Department of Public Safety to ensure safety measures appropriate for each event are in place. 

Interim President Ettinger, along with Executive Vice President and Provost Rachel Croson, Dean of Students Katie Jackson, Vice President for Equity and Diversity Mercedes Ramírez Fernández, and General Counsel Doug Peterson met with representatives from Chabad, Minnesota Hillel, Alpha Epsilon Pi, and Sigma Alpha Mu on May 2.

Our Jewish student leaders continue to show great strength and courage. They asked challenging questions and engaged in thoughtful and productive dialogue. Read our commitments.

The University of Minnesota supports individual rights to free speech and lawful protest. In fact, as a large public university, demonstrations where groups express diverse views and opinions occur regularly on our campus without incident. However, protests must be conducted lawfully and in compliance with University policies.

The U of M supports and respects free speech through peaceful protest while upholding law and University policy. 

Several policies at the University of Minnesota both reaffirm students’ right to free expression and uphold public safety. 

• Student Code of Conduct
• Employee Code of Conduct
• Distribution of Temporary Information through Publications, Signs, Banners or Chalking
• Rules and Parameters for Outdoor Events

All individuals are given proper notification and warning if their actions do not align with University policy and state law. Individuals are routinely given verbal notice and offered the opportunity to stop the activity that is in violation before any formal action is taken. 

The University has very little direct business or investments in Israel or Palestine. We offer two study-abroad programs in Israel (currently suspended due to the war), and while individual faculty may have collaborations or relationships, we have no institution-wide formal academic partnerships.

An encampment, including numerous tents, was set up on the Northrop Mall around 4:30 a.m. Around 6:30 a.m., those present at the tent encampment were informed they were in violation of both University policy and state trespassing law, and that they would be arrested if they chose to stay. Some of those present chose to disperse and continue peacefully protesting. Those who chose to remain were arrested without resistance around 7:00 a.m. and issued trespass warnings.

According to the University’s outdoor space policy, tents are not allowed on any University property for any purpose without a permit. In addition, the Department of Public Safety consistently does not allow any encampments, tents, fires, or other types of encampment living arrangements on any University properties or in buildings.

Six current students, one staff member, and two community members were arrested on the morning of Tuesday, April 23 without incident. There were no other arrests.

The six current students and one staff member who were arrested the morning of April 23 received formal letters on April 24 from the University notifying them that the civil administrative trespass notices they originally received had been rescinded. The letters stated they are allowed on campus, effective immediately. The one-year trespass warnings received by two additional individuals who are not affiliated with the University remain in effect.

All arrested individuals will still be subject to the legal process in Hennepin County and the University’s process for assessing consequences under the applicable employee and student conduct policies. 

The University regularly works with student groups and University departments to support free speech demonstrations in a safe, peaceful, and lawful manner and continues to provide resources for engaging in freedom of expression activities that align with University policies. 

The University addresses vandalism such as stickers and graffiti--some of which promote violence and are hurtful to many--according to our policy. Such incidents violate University and Twin Cities campus policies and we work to promptly remove these items. 

We encourage use of the Bias Response and Referral Network to report incidents of bias and discrimination, including discriminatory vandalism and defacement, which are not tolerated on our campus.

No. All utilities including water, electricity, and wifi in University buildings remain operational. 

No. Any employee who was not able to work due to building closures will be paid for the time they were regularly scheduled to work.