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March 26, 2024
To: Undergraduate, Graduate Students, Staff, and Faculty
Subject: Today’s Demonstration
Dear students, faculty and staff,
Earlier this afternoon, a group of Stony Brook students and student organizations
held a demonstration that included a march through campus. In advance of this demonstration,
Student Affairs staff consulted with the student organizers as is our normal practice,
advising them of their rights and responsibilities in accordance with our established policies. This included an agreed upon walking
route. Near the end of the march, approximately thirty students who were part of the
march deviated from the route by entering the administration building. They proceeded
to disrupt University activities inside the building through the use of a bullhorn,
a drum, and loud chants.
Student Affairs staff spoke with the student organizers and participants several times while in the administration building, advising them that their actions violated the Code of Student Responsibility and that they needed to leave the building. After campus administrators engaged in further conversation with the students, the majority of these students left the building. The remaining students were advised that if they did not leave the building, they would be subject to referral and arrest as a result of their disruptive behavior. It was our strong desire to avoid arrests. Unfortunately, it became necessary for the university police to arrest nine demonstrators who remained within the Stony Brook University administration building for disrupting university activities in violation of the Code of Student Responsibility. While we regret this outcome, it is our responsibility to protect the university from disruption and to hold students accountable for behavior that threatens the safety, security, and operations of the university.
At Stony Brook University, we value the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. We respect the right of individuals to express their opinions and beliefs, and we encourage robust dialogue and civil discourse. As an academic community, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment where diverse perspectives can be heard and respected. We understand that demonstrations and protests can be important parts of this process. However, they must comply with time, place, and manner guidelines.
We are proud that the vast majority of our students act responsibly in support of these values, and will continue to work with our student groups to offer guidance as they exercise their right to freedom of expression.
Student Affairs staff spoke with the student organizers and participants several times while in the administration building, advising them that their actions violated the Code of Student Responsibility and that they needed to leave the building. After campus administrators engaged in further conversation with the students, the majority of these students left the building. The remaining students were advised that if they did not leave the building, they would be subject to referral and arrest as a result of their disruptive behavior. It was our strong desire to avoid arrests. Unfortunately, it became necessary for the university police to arrest nine demonstrators who remained within the Stony Brook University administration building for disrupting university activities in violation of the Code of Student Responsibility. While we regret this outcome, it is our responsibility to protect the university from disruption and to hold students accountable for behavior that threatens the safety, security, and operations of the university.
At Stony Brook University, we value the right to free speech and peaceful assembly. We respect the right of individuals to express their opinions and beliefs, and we encourage robust dialogue and civil discourse. As an academic community, we are committed to fostering an inclusive and respectful environment where diverse perspectives can be heard and respected. We understand that demonstrations and protests can be important parts of this process. However, they must comply with time, place, and manner guidelines.
We are proud that the vast majority of our students act responsibly in support of these values, and will continue to work with our student groups to offer guidance as they exercise their right to freedom of expression.
Sincerely,
Rick Gatteau, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs
Rick Gatteau, PhD
Vice President for Student Affairs