Dear Campus Community Members,

I’m writing to update you on the ongoing encampment on Trotter Lawn, led by members of Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a suspended student organization, including the steps we’re taking to end it.

Early this morning, staff members recovered College property that protestors used to help construct the encampment. At that time, we discovered that some of the property had been vandalized. For instance, the Big Chair was covered with graffiti containing abhorrent statements that celebrated violence and promoted hate. I am appalled that members of our community would deface College property in this way, and I unequivocally condemn their actions.

As I shared on Wednesday, we informed students multiple times, both verbally and in writing, that they were violating several policies in the Student Code of Conduct. Students were instructed to disband the encampment and leave Trotter Lawn, and repeatedly warned that failure to do so would lead to interim suspensions. They ignored those directives.

In addition, SJP used social media on several occasions to urge individuals from beyond campus to come to Swarthmore and join the encampment. We have reason to believe that people who are unaffiliated with the College are participating in the protest. SJP has used this tactic in the past, which puts our campus community at risk, particularly those who are most vulnerable given the current political context. The promotion of the protest on social media has once again drawn the attention of law enforcement officers, including the FBI, who have urged us to bring the encampment to an end as quickly as possible.

In the interest of the safety and well-being of the greater campus community, we took several steps today to end the protest. After positively identifying several students who refused to leave the encampment and who are in violation of the Code of Conduct, we began issuing interim suspensions. We will continue to do so as more students are identified. Students on interim suspension are prohibited from accessing campus, attending College-related events, and availing themselves of a range of campus services and privileges.

This evening, we issued notices to everyone at the encampment that they are now considered to be trespassing. Should they continue to fail to disperse and violate the College’s policies and the law, we will have no choice but to escalate our response as we consider all actions to bring the encampment to an end.

I deeply regret that we find ourselves in this position. I urge these protestors to pursue a less divisive approach to expressing their views — one that aligns with not just the College’s policies, but with the mutual respect, compassion, and care that all in our community deserve.

Sincerely,

Val Smith
President