Conclusion of Protest at Voorhees Mall

May 2, 2024

Dear Rutgers–New Brunswick Community,

The recent tensions that have swept university campuses across the nation, sparked by protests over the conflict in Gaza, have not left us untouched.

This morning, President Holloway and I communicated to the students at the Voorhees Mall protest the necessity of dismantling their encampment by 4 p.m. following disruptions to final exams.

We are pleased to report that these students have agreed to peacefully end their protest. They have committed to removing their tents and belongings, effectively clearing Voorhees Mall. This process began before the 4 p.m. deadline and is currently underway.

This resolution was achieved through constructive dialogue between the protesting students and our leadership teams. Despite the myriad ways to address the national movement, our focus has remained on ensuring our students' safety and our university's smooth operation. This agreement opens the door for ongoing dialogue and better addresses the needs of our Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian student body, which numbers over 7,000.

Our commitment to our students is paramount. I am grateful for our faculty's role in guiding and supporting the students toward this peaceful resolution. At Rutgers–New Brunswick, we are dedicated to fostering a community prioritizing safe and peaceful resolution through open dialogue.

The protesting students have voiced their desire for representation within our community through a cultural center, diversity initiatives, and the symbolism we display to celebrate our global diversity. They also seek representation in our curriculum through partnerships, like our existing one with Birzeit University, and an expansion of Middle Eastern studies.

While the request for the university to divest from companies engaged in Israel and to sever ties with Tel Aviv University was made, such decisions fall outside of our administrative scope. However, following our established university policies, the divestment request is under review.

The Advisory Council for Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian Life will be critical in facilitating further discussions on academic initiatives in collaboration with the Office of the Chancellor. A comprehensive list of student requests and the Office of the Chancellor's response can be found here. This agreement is predicated on the absence of further disruptions and adherence to University policies.

Our primary obligation at Rutgers–New Brunswick is to ensure the safety and success of our students, ensuring they can learn, live, work, and complete their exams in a secure setting. As per the Rutgers University Policy on Disruptions, we do not condone this morning's disruption but recognize the necessity of balancing free speech and peaceful protest with our educational, research, and operational imperatives. This is a time for reflection, healing, and working toward reconciliation. While opinions on the approach may vary, our collective goal remains our community's safety and academic success.

We are committed to non-retaliation for peaceful protest, though individual students involved in the encampment may still be subject to the Code of Student Conduct.

While there is much work to do, and conversations will be ongoing, I remain convinced that our community's strength lies in our compassion, commitment to intellectual inquiry, and ability to unite across differences. Together, we can serve as a model for our community, nation, and the world.

Sincerely,

Francine Conway, Ph.D.
Chancellor and Distinguished Professor
Rutgers University–New Brunswick

Language in the agreement referenced in this message has been clarified and the link to the agreement has been updated to reflect the most recent version.