Message from the Chancellor on the protests and the encampment

Chancellor Mark Mone shared the following message to UWM students, faculty and staff on May 8, 2024.

Dear UWM Students, Faculty, and Staff,

We bear witness to history, not only at UWM, but across the country and the world. Over the past 10 days, UWM’s portion of this historic chapter has played out in the form of a campout on the lawn outside Mitchell Hall. It tests us in ways not seen in generations and reminds us that such tests rarely come with universal answers. Knowing all of this, I write to bring greater clarity to UWM’s position, its obligations, and my personal hopes for how we move forward.

Conflicts in the Middle East, as they have been for decades and centuries, inevitably elicit the deeply felt and seemingly diametrically opposed reactions we see today. For many of our students and many others in the surrounding community, encampment has become a focal point for expressing these beliefs. Since the encampment’s inception, UWM leaders have sought the precarious balance required by a public university serving a highly diverse community. We also made it clear that the encampment was illegal and must stop.

UWM remains committed to preserving the safety of everyone in our campus community and respecting the rights of free speech that are guided by University of Wisconsin policy and Wisconsin state law. I appreciate that the protests remained peaceful and did not disrupt daily campus operations. And it is commendable that so many learning opportunities have been integrated into life inside the camp. It is a reflection of our campus community as a whole – and I welcome the many instances where people come together, discuss current issues, and welcome the diversity of people and opinions on our campus.

It is with this in mind that UWM has demonstrated as much patience and restraint as possible while protesters exercise their right to free speech. Throughout conversations with community members and protester representatives, UWM has consistently expressed its desire for a peaceful resolution. We maintained this approach even as protesters erected barriers, expanded their camp, and used rhetoric that was offensive to many members of our community. I recognize that many people think UWM has offered too much leeway, while others will say we haven’t offered enough. I also recognize that people can strongly disagree with what others say while still supporting their right to say it.

It’s important to note some details about UWM’s approach, which has been engaged and hands-on, because it differs from many others across the country that have attracted media attention.

• UWM police continually monitored the camp but did not intervene. UWM did not use mutual police assistance for enforcement purposes. We do not want to take such measures. But in the event of a public safety issue or emergency, UWM Police will exercise authority to ensure the safety of the campus community.
• The UWM Foundation shared its message addressing protesters’ concerns about its investments. In summary, the company confirmed UWM’s consistently stated position that it does not invest directly in arms manufacturers or with Middle Eastern governments, although it does hold mutual funds that include a variety of major industries.
• We are actively negotiating with representatives of the protest group and have responded to protesters’ demands as state laws and policies allow. We also explained how UWM, as a public university, cannot take political positions or infringe on academic freedom.

The protesters have said they want the encampment to end, and I believe we all sincerely share that goal. However, they remained determined not to leave their encampment until all of their demands were met, including those that are legally impossible for UWM to meet. Therein lies the enigma.

UWM is simply not equipped or resourced to support and protect an outdoor campground long term. That’s part of why such encampments are illegal under Chapter 18 of the Wisconsin Administrative Code, and why Gov. Tony Evers, Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson and University of Wisconsin President Jay Rothman have all declared that the encampments should stop. The longer the encampment remains, the more security concerns increase, whether it’s a counter-protest hotspot or bad actors deliberately targeting the encampment. That’s why we put so much effort into working with protesters to end the encampment. However, if the encampment does not end soon, UWM will need to take steps to make it happen.

Asking protesters to end the encampment is in no way asking protesters to shut up. On the contrary, our actions have demonstrated how UWM encourages and supports everyone’s right to have their voice heard. This will not change.

UWM’s only demand of the protesters is that they respect the law. I sincerely hope that we can find common ground on this and remove the obstacles that prevent us from seeking answers together.

Sincerely,

Mark A. Mone, PhD
Chancellor