June 12, 2024
Dear Members of Our Campus Community,
On Monday, we reported that a group of unidentified individuals entered Girvetz Hall and blocked access to the building, which prevented final exams scheduled for that building from taking place. Fire exits were blocked, images of vandalism and threats of violence were posted, and altercations occurred. We indicated that we would not tolerate these unsafe conditions. This was criminal activity, not peaceful protest.
After we received a communication from a group inside Girvetz Hall, which was said to include people unaffiliated with the university, we called on them to immediately vacate the building. Faced with serious and urgent security and safety concerns, and the unlawful and dangerous actions of those barricaded in the building, we took action to end the trespass and vandalism.
Police arriving on the scene found that the protestors had vacated the vandalized building. Anyone who is determined to have participated in this activity will face disciplinary and potentially criminal charges. We will follow the University of California Campus Guidelines on Determining Disciplinary Actions, consistent with campus procedures.
We have sought to maintain a balance between the rights of the community to pursue our educational mission and the rights of protesters to exercise their First Amendment rights in a peaceful manner. However, students, staff, and faculty must be allowed to live and work without fear of bias, discrimination, bullying, intimidation, or disruption. We must restore our sense of community and allow our students to have the Commencement that they and their families and friends deserve.
It is not yet known how long it will take our dedicated custodial and maintenance staff to clean and make repairs caused by vandalism in the building. Final exams scheduled in Girvetz Hall have been relocated to other buildings. Instructors will confirm new venues with their students.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Henry T. Yang
Chancellor
David Marshall
Executive Vice Chancellor
Garry Mac Pherson
Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services