Update on Campus Demonstrations
May 2, 2024
Dear Campus Community,
This morning shortly after midnight, 22 Stony Brook students, two faculty members, and five others were arrested for violating various laws. What began on Tuesday as a peaceful demonstration in compliance with our rules escalated to include intimidation and harassment of other students, the erection of tents in violation of the University’s policy, and the continued occupation of a space that must continue to be available to other student groups that had reserved its use well in advance.
I am deeply saddened that we reached a point where police intervention became necessary. University administrators made every effort to avert this outcome. Nevertheless, I want to express my appreciation to all involved for the peaceful manner in which the events of yesterday evening unfolded. The police acted professionally and with restraint, and most of our students comported themselves peacefully and with dignity in a manner that contrasts sharply with the scenes we are seeing from many other campuses.
As we have stated previously, Stony Brook supports every individual’s right of free expression and peaceful assembly. As a campus community, we have hosted numerous demonstrations and events, for the most part mindful of our responsibility to treat one another with respect and civility. In recent days, protests have grown on campuses across the nation, and this Tuesday a group of Stony Brook students began a peaceful demonstration on the Staller Steps. Student Affairs staff consulted with the student organizers, advising them of their rights and responsibilities in accordance with our established policies. As the demonstration continued throughout Wednesday morning and afternoon, Student Affairs staff spoke with the student organizers and participants several more times, repeatedly reminding them that other members of the campus community had reserved the Staller Steps and that they would need to vacate the area at a designated time. They refused to do so and erected tents, in violation of our policy. They also grew increasingly hostile toward other students who were not participating in the demonstration.
At Stony Brook, protests and demonstrations will not be allowed to disrupt the academic environment, create safety issues, or violate university guidelines regarding time, place and manner. When necessary, we will take appropriate action to enforce these rules and ensure that all campus voices can be heard, not just the loudest or the most disruptive.
I offered the demonstrators one final meeting to discuss their demands if they would end their occupation of the site. Although I had met in February with student representatives of SB4 Palestine to discuss similar demands, and had explained in writing why the university could not meet those demands, I offered yesterday evening to meet again, along with Justin Fincher, Executive Director of the Stony Brook Foundation, provided the group agreed to leave the Staller Steps by 11 pm. This offer was rejected.
Over the past few months, we made numerous efforts through dialogue and discussion to address the concerns shared by student leaders. We explained that Stony Brook has no direct investments in Israel or weapons manufacturers, that SBU does not support the BDS movement, and that we will not limit the freedom of our faculty and students to be involved in research, travel, and the free exchange of ideas necessitated by their academic research and scholarship.
We have demonstrated repeatedly that Stony Brook University is committed to supporting the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. And we also must, and will, protect the rights of all our students to feel safe on our campus. Our students have a right to participate in the many events that mark the end of the academic year and complete the semester free from interruptions and intimidation. Classes will be held today as scheduled, and for the remainder of the semester use of the Staller Steps will be by advance reservation only.
Stony Brook will continue to be a place where free speech can flourish alongside civil discourse, and the freedom to pursue learning and research without fear or discrimination. At this difficult moment when emotions are running high, it is important to recognize that throughout these difficult months, the vast majority of our community, including those demonstrating passionately for their causes, have shown they share that commitment to Stony Brook and to each other. As we move toward the close of the semester and the academic year, I hope we will redouble our efforts at civil and open-minded dialogue both within our community and the world at large.
Maurie McInnis
President