Spring 2024 Encampment Information
Messages from the USF Administration
August 6, 2024: A Message from the President
Dear Members of the USF Community,
As we approach the start of the fall semester, I write to underscore my commitment — and, indeed, our collective responsibility — to uphold the principles of academic freedom, mutual respect, and social responsibility within the USF community.
These ideals are central to USF's Jesuit mission and identity. Our university is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, and conducive environment for learning, collaboration, and holistic growth for all members of our diverse community. I recognize and respect the right of individuals and groups to express opinions, advocate for causes, and engage in peaceful protest.
As we navigate these challenging times and engage in dialogue on important social and political issues, I remind all members of our university community that students have promised to uphold the honor code and abide by the code of student conduct. Similarly, employees have entered into contractual agreements to respect our campus policies and guidelines and to express their views in ways that advance mutual respect, civility, and inclusivity. Expressions of dissent, disagreement, or advocacy, no matter how passionate or controversial, must be conducted in a manner that respects the dignity and rights of others and adheres to our community standards. Harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or any form of behavior that threatens the well-being or safety of individuals or groups will not be tolerated and are subject to disciplinary action in accordance with our policies.
Moving Forward
As we move forward from the events of spring semester, university leadership is working to strengthen the curriculum related to Israel, Israelis, Palestine, and Palestinians, and to establish an ad hoc task force of students, faculty, and staff to review our socially responsible, ethical investment policies and practices. As we informed the student leaders of last semester's demonstrations, we are committed to fostering a respectful dialogue, including holding educational sessions on the university's investment policies, and working through what was outlined in ASUSF's resolution by fall of this year.
The way we treat one another, especially in times of crisis, is the foundation of our campus culture. Our diverse community and how we accompany each other is our greatest gift. Our diversity is realized in our equitable and inclusive treatment of each and every member of our community. Our campus policies and guidelines for students and for employees ensure that teaching, learning, and university activities can take place as planned. In keeping with our Jesuit mission and values, we are committed to ensuring that all members of our beloved community thrive in mind, body, and spirit. Thank you for being part of this collective work.
I hope you found time this summer for restful and meaningful time with friends, family, and loved ones. I know you join me in looking forward to welcoming our new and returning students to campus, and to a joyful start to a new academic year.
Sincerely,
Paul J. Fitzgerald, S.J.
President
July 1, 2024: A message to student organizers
To the student organizers engaged in the Welch Field encampment and in demands to USF administration:
We are writing as part of our ongoing follow-up to honor the administration’s commitment to a peaceful path forward following the events this spring, including the encampment.
This communication has been delayed for a number of reasons, including the circulation on campus of additional information regarding your requests, disruptions occurring on campus, and year-end events, including commencement.
The administration is continuing to work through the demands you have presented.
We are currently working with academic deans regarding strengthening the curriculum and the academic study of Palestine and Palestinians. We will also work to provide opportunities for research focused on Palestine studies and support for Palestinian students.
Regarding our dialogue around our socially responsible investment policies: We are committed to establishing a new socially responsible advisory investment task force composed of a representative group of students, faculty, and staff. This group will work with the USF Office of Business and Finance and the USF Board of Trustees Investment Committee regarding investment practices and alignment of the investments with the university’s mission and values. We are committed to continuing a respectful dialogue, including holding educational sessions on the university’s investment policies, and working through what was outlined in ASUSF’s resolution by fall 2024.
We look forward to continuing our conversations in the new academic year.
Sincerely,
Eileen Fung, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs
Julie Orio, Vice President of Student Life
Shannon Gary, Associate Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students
May 24: Statement on Recent Student Conduct Notices
Many members of the USF community have expressed their support and concern for the approximately 25 USF students who received conduct notices from the Office of Student Conduct, Rights, and Responsibilities (OSCRR) on Tuesday, May 21, in relation to events and activities associated with the encampment on Welch Field.
May 21: Update on Welch Field Encampment and Moving Forward
We write to share an update that the Welch Field encampment has disbanded. The following is a summary of events that led to the demonstrators vacating the field.
May 13: Message to the Community re: Encampment
In my continuing efforts to provide timely and transparent updates regarding the encampment on Welch Field, I am sharing with you information regarding a meeting this morning that I held with several members of my administration and several student leaders of the Welch Field encampment.
May 8: A peaceful path forward; responding to recent demands
In line with our institutional commitment to transparency and partnership, I write to update you on recent events on USF’s campus and provide you with the administration’s response to requests from student representatives.
May 3: A Peaceful Path Forward
To echo what Fr. Fitzgerald said in his recent message, we know it has been difficult to watch how events are unfolding on university campuses across the country — especially when situations and emotions escalate and cause harm to peaceful protesters.
April 30: Encampment on Welch Field
As some of you may know, yesterday afternoon a number of our students walked out of classes and joined other members of our community and individuals not affiliated with USF to create a tent encampment on Welch Field. Our students and community members are protesting the devastation being caused by the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
Read the April 30 Communication
Timeline of Events
The following summarizes the major events related to the protestor demands and the demonstration: November 2023 The university’s Finance and Treasury Office confirmed and communicated to students that four companies in question are not in the USF portfolio. The Finance and Treasury Office shared the university’s Socially Responsible Considerations of the USF Investment Policy and the Fossil Fuel Divestment Policy.
May 20, 2024
Most students have left the USF encampment and the majority of the approximately 50 tents on Welch Field have been abandoned. On the morning of Monday, May 20, USF staff began packing unoccupied tents and abandoned property with the intention of storing all items for pickup or donation. USF staff then consulted with the remaining students who arrived at the field, and they stated that they intended to remove the encampment and vacate the field today. They agreed to pick up their remaining belongings by tomorrow morning.
On Tuesday, May 21, USF will begin the process of repairing the damage to the field and cleaning up the area.
USF is grateful to all who have participated in charting a peaceful path forward and prioritizing safety and respect for all members of the community.
May 13, 2024
Fr. Fitzgerald, Provost Fung, and other administrators meet with leaders of Welch Field encampment to discuss demands and peaceful resolution.
May 11, 2024
Dean of Students notifies student demonstrators that their unauthorized scheduled event during finals week and invitation to non-affiliated individuals to campus is in violation of USF policies and standards. Rally proceeds.
May 10, 2024
USF administration invites student demonstrators to meet at 8 am Monday to discuss demands.
May, 9, 2024
San Francisco Foghorn publishes “USF Student Activists Establish “A People’s University.”
May 6–8, 2024
As outlined above, response and engagement with students has proceeded, with uneven success. It has been difficult to know who is representing the protesting group(s). On May 6 and 7, disturbances were reported and documented. On May 8, the president and several members of the leadership team visited the Welch Field encampment to address demands and listen to students.
May 3, 2024
As an overall response to the ASUSF resolution was being developed, five demands were delivered by “The People’s University of Palestine” with a deadline of May 8:
- Condemn Israeli Occupation’s genocide of Palestinians
- USF must immediately disclose all Israeli occupation-affiliated endowments and investments
- Ensure divestments after disclosure
- USF end all academic partnerships with the Israeli occupation
- USF must protect pro-Palestine speech and students on campus
April 29, 2024
Encampment established on Welch Field. University departments including Public Safety, Facilities, Student Life, and others work with encampment organizers to provide a range of support services to ensure the health and safety of demonstrators. This has ranged from providing port-a-potties and handwashing stations to trash removal services and shelter during a storm.
April 23, 2024
Students began posting and circulating a flier asking community members to email Finance Office staff, advocating for disclosure and divestment of assets associated with Israel. To date, about 95 messages have been received. The university replied to those messages today while noting the legally binding nondisclosure agreements associated with some investment funds. The Finance Office is currently looking at what more we may be able to share about our investments in other funds. We are at work on this now, and will have more information to share with the community before the fall 2024 deadline in ASUSF’s resolution. In addition, our ethical investment policies that are evident in our public holdings also guide our actions and decisions in the privately held investments; therefore, the policies for public and private holdings are the same.
February 2024
ASUSF passed a resolution asking USF to review, disclose, and divest from Israeli companies, including a provided list of companies with Israeli ties, by fall of 2024. The Finance and Treasury Office reviewed the list, identified one firm (Booking Holdings) in which USF may have indirect holdings, and communicated that to ASUSF. Research is still being conducted and will be complete by ASUSF’s requested deadline of fall 2024.