On Thursday night, the University of Arizona Police Department and partner agencies enforced the University’s campus use policy to remove an unauthorized encampment near Main Gate Square on the Tucson campus. The University of Arizona Police Department removed an unauthorized encampment made from wooden pallets and other debris.
Police vehicles were spiked, and rocks and water bottles were thrown at officers and university staff. University officials issued warnings to remove the encampment and disperse. However, the warnings were ignored and eventually police used pepper balls and tear gas to clear the violent pro-Hamas protestors.
Two people connected to the university were arrested.
President Robert C. Robbins has initiated a zero-tolerance approach to enforcing its campus use policy to protect the campus, students, faculty, visitors, and university events. Robbins made clear that those who violate the law are subject to arrest and prosecution.
University officials have taken action to ensure the safety of Centennial Hall convocation attendees.
The University successfully held 15 convocations and celebrations without any incident on Thursday, while ensuring the safety of all attendees, including 1,800 leaving a convocation at Centennial Hall just steps away from the encampment.
Robbins sent out the following message to students, faculty, staff and designated campus colleagues on Friday:
Dear Students and Colleagues,
Last night, the University of Arizona Police Department and partner agencies enforced the University’s campus use policy to remove an unauthorized encampment near Main Gate Square on the Tucson campus. I know that this decision may provoke strong opinions and perhaps questions, including any impact on graduation celebrations planned for today and this weekend.
Commencement and other ceremonies will go forward as planned.
The University successfully held 15 convocations and celebrations without any incident on Thursday, while ensuring the safety of all attendees, including 1,800 leaving a convocation at Centennial Hall just steps away from the encampment.
As I shared via email earlier this week, Commencement and the other graduation events are celebrations of our students’ hard work and academic accomplishments and affirm our shared identity as members of an educational community. We also welcome an expanded University community this weekend including family and friends who are joining us to celebrate their loved ones and classmates. We have a responsibility as hosts to try to ensure a welcoming and safe environment for all.
There are significant world challenges in this moment in time, and, as I also noted in my email earlier this week, I value our community’s engagement with these and other matters of consequence. I ask that we extend to one another the same compassion that motivates that engagement, even as we experience disagreement. However, we will remain steadfast in enforcing our campus rules, which are designed to allow for free expression and to protect the operation of our campus and those within it.
As I shared previously, while we continue to have diverse opinions and strong views on a variety of issues, we must find ways to engage safely, reflecting our shared values and respect for others.
I remain deeply appreciative of everyone who has worked so hard to plan and hold this week’s graduation events, and I trust that our graduates, their family, friends, and supporters will be able to celebrate the incredible achievements of our students.
Sincerely,
Robert C. Robbins, M.D.
President, The University of Arizona
RELATED ARTICLE: