A group has set up an encampment in the quad that raises policy considerations and affects campus operations, and staff are engaging with those present while monitoring the situation.
Dear Occidental Community,
As many of you have seen, approximately 50 people gathered this morning in the quad, setting up tents and other semi-permanent structures. They have concealed their identities and refused to identify themselves, and we believe that many are not part of our Occidental community. Occidental has a long history of honoring free expression and the right to protest, but many of these actions are in violation of our student code of conduct and viewpoint and content neutral time, place, and manner policy, presenting a substantial disruption of planned campus activities.
Campus safety officers and College staff are communicating with the protestors to notify them of policy violations. We will continue to enforce our policies so that other campus activities can continue unimpeded.
We will monitor the situation and provide updates as appropriate.
Tom