UCLA Sends Notice to “Unlawful” Pro-Palestinian Encampment

On April 30 UCLA sent a notice to the ongoing pro-Palestinian encampment that it is “unlawful and violates university policy” and that students and faculty that remain could be disciplined.

The notice, which was obtained by the Journal, states that that the “presence” of those in the encampment who are not affiliated with the university “violates the law and constitutes criminal behavior subject to misdemeanor charges … Anyone not affiliated with the university who chooses to come to campus should keep these regulations in mind. For example, any sign or flag must be smaller than 30 x 30 inches and on poles shorter than 18 inches (section 100014). No masking (section 100013-L) or camping (section 100005) is allowed.” The notice added that “law enforcement is prepared to arrest individuals, in accordance with applicable law” and “non-UCLA persons are notified to leave the encampment and depart the campus immediately.”

Regarding those affiliated with the university, the notice states that “students, staff and faculty who have joined the encampment should identify themselves, if requested, to university officials or security personnel, including law enforcement officers. We are asking students, staff and faculty to leave the area. Those who choose to remain — including both students and employees — could face sanctions. For students, those sanctions could include disciplinary measures such as interim suspension that, after proper due process through the student conduct process, could lead to dismissal. Faculty disciplinary actions would be handled through Senate judiciary committees and Academic Affairs and Personnel, and staff employee disciplinary actions would be handled through Human Resources.” The Senate judiciary committees are part of the Academic Senate that handle with alleged violations of the Faculty Code of Conduct.

Separately, the university announced that Royce Hall is closed for the rest of the week, as is Powell Library.

Chancellor Gene Block addressed the situation in April 30 statement, referring to the encampment as being “unauthorized … Many of the demonstrators, as well as counter-demonstrators who have come to the area, have been peaceful in their activism,” Block said. “But the tactics of others have frankly been shocking and shameful. We have seen instances of violence completely at odds with our values as an institution dedicated to respect and mutual understanding. In other cases, students on their way to class have been physically blocked from accessing parts of the campus. UCLA supports peaceful protest, but not activism that harms our ability to carry out our academic mission and makes people in our community feel bullied, threatened and afraid. These incidents have put many on our campus, especially our Jewish students, in a state of anxiety and fear.”

“These incidents have put many on our campus, especially our Jewish students, in a state of anxiety and fear.” – UCLA Chancellor Gene Block

He claimed that the university has beefed up security and “engaged law enforcement to investigate the recent acts of violence … The barriers that demonstrators used to block access to buildings have been removed, and we have staff located around Royce Quad to help ensure that they will not go up again,” Block said. “With regard to these incidents, our student conduct process has been initiated, and could lead to disciplinary action including suspension or expulsion.”

However, UCLA Hillel Executive Director Dan Gold told the Journal that when he visited the area at 5:30 pm, the barriers were still up.

Block concluded his statement by saying: “I recognize that the suffering in the Middle East has had a profound impact on our campus, and we continue to hope for a peaceful resolution. While Bruins hold a variety of perspectives on this conflict, we must all protect the wellbeing of our peers and maintain an environment safe for learning. This is a commitment I call on our community to uphold as we navigate the weeks ahead.”