For the Media

Media statements on the encampment on College Green

Sunday, May 19, 2024, 9:45 p.m.

"Several students have been placed on mandatory temporary leave, as their cases are adjudicated by the Office of Community Standards and Accountability (CSA). Three cases involving graduating seniors were expedited through the process, and letters notifying these students of the findings were delivered on Friday. Because the students have not yet responded to the letters to resolve their cases, they remain on mandatory temporary leave and were not permitted to participate in the College of Arts and Sciences graduation ceremony this evening."
 

Saturday, May 18, 2024, 12:30 p.m.

"Nineteen individuals, including 7 Penn students, were taken into police custody last night, following an attempt to occupy a Penn building. Twelve were issued citations for failure to disperse and failure to follow police commands and later released. Seven remain in custody awaiting felony charges, including one for assaulting a police officer. 

Upon clearing the building, Penn Police recovered lock-picking tools and homemade metal shields fashioned from oil drums. The exit doors had been secured with zip-ties, barbed wire, and barricaded with metal chairs and desks, and the windows were covered over with newspaper and cardboard. Bike racks and metal chairs were also found blocking outside entrances. Penn remains focused on maintaining the safety and security of our campus."
 

Friday, May 17, 2024, 10:00 p.m.

“Earlier this evening, a group of individuals entered Fisher-Bennett Hall on Penn’s campus and attempted to occupy it. Penn Police, with support from Philadelphia Police, escorted them out and secured the building, taking several individuals into custody. The situation remains active."
 

Friday, May 10, 2024, 11:30 p.m.

“On Friday evening at approximately 8pm, a large demonstration began west of campus. They started marching toward campus at approximately 8:45pm. The group traveled to the 3800 block of Walnut Street in front of the President’s residence. The crowd became disorderly and breached the exterior gate at the President’s House. Police regained control of the immediate area and the large crowd proceeded to travel to Chestnut Street, traveling east on Chestnut to 33rd, then north to Market Street, where the disorderly crowd disbanded."
 

Friday, May 10, 2024, 8:00 p.m.

“Penn Police have now confirmed 9 Penn students were among the 33 individuals arrested – the other 24 individuals have no Penn affiliation. The arrested individuals were given code violation notices for defiant trespass and were released quickly throughout the morning. Upon searching the encampment, Penn Police recovered several long lengths (6-10 feet) of heavy gauge chains, as well as smaller chains with nuts and bolts attached that could be used as weapons."

Friday, May 10, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

“Of the approximately 33 individuals arrested and cited for defiant trespass on College Green this morning, 7 are confirmed Penn students at this time. We will update this page if the information changes."
 

Friday, May 10, 2024, 8:45 a.m.

“At approximately 5:30am this morning, Penn Police, with support from the Philadelphia Police Department, took steps to remove the unauthorized encampment on College Green. Protestors were given multiple warnings that they were trespassing and offered the opportunity to voluntarily leave and avoid citation. Those who chose to stay did so knowing that they would be arrested and removed. Approximately 33 individuals were arrested without incident and cited for defiant trespass."
 

Thursday, May 09, 2024, 4:00 p.m.

“Today, the University issued mandatory temporary leaves of absence for six students in accordance with our policies and pending the results of the Center for Community Standards and Accountability disciplinary investigations. These actions are a result of the University’s continuing response to the unauthorized encampment on College Green."
 

Wednesday, May 08, 2024, 10:00 p.m.

“Penn continues to focus on the safety of our campus, including expanding security presence in response to the expansion of the encampment, despite our efforts to resolve this situation."
 

Monday, May 6, 2024, 7:30 a.m.

“The encampment should end. It is in violation of our policies, it is disrupting campus operations and events, and it is causing fear for many in our large, diverse community, especially among our Jewish students. I believe there are alternative paths and am willing to pursue all reasonable options to avoid escalation and further disruption to our community." Read the entire community message here.
 

Friday, May 3, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

“The Interim President and Provost have met twice with several student and faculty protestors from the encampment to hear their views and try to find a productive path forward. We communicated that the encampment must disband and offered accommodation to continue their protest in ways that do not conflict with safety and policy. We also stated our desire to move beyond a posture of demand vs. counter-demand and towards shared opportunities that help create a more inclusive, respectful campus environment.”
 

Thursday, May 2, 2024, 6:30 p.m.

“The University of Pennsylvania strongly opposes sanctions, boycotts, or disinvestment targeted against Israel. We have been clear about this issue for more than a decade. Divestment focused on Israel is also against the law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.”
 

Thursday, May 2, 2024, 6:00 p.m.

“The University has been managing an encampment and surrounding protests on our campus for several days. Protest activity began to escalate overnight and has steadily continued, with large crowds in and around College Green today. We have reached out to the City of Philadelphia to ensure we have the necessary resources to keep our community safe. The Mayor’s Office has asked for more information, and we are providing it.”
 

Thursday, May 2, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

“Penn Public Safety issued a UPennAlert at 11:19 a.m. and continues to provide updates to inform the Penn community of a large demonstration on College Green that is impacting pedestrian traffic in the area. Penn Police remain on site to ensure safety with the support of Philadelphia Police.”
 

Thursday, May 2, 2024, 1:00 p.m.

“At approximately 8:00 p.m. last night, encampment protesters and their supporters issued a public call to a rally on College Green, resulting in over 100 protesters on site. The rally escalated at multiple times overnight and into the early morning hours, including defacement of Penn property, an unauthorized drone, and threatening rhetoric and chants. Penn Public Safety were on site to maintain order and ensure safety with the support of Philadelphia Police. Penn Public Safety secured several surrounding administrative buildings, limiting access to PennCard holders only, as a precaution. Fortunately, the rally concluded without incident.”

Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 10:00 p.m.

“Earlier today, Penn Public Safety removed an individual, who had allegedly sprayed a sulfur-based “stink” spray in the encampment. No injuries were reported. The individual was charged with disorderly conduct and harassment.”
 

Tuesday, April 30, 2024, 4:00 p.m.

“We have clearly communicated to the protestors in the encampment that they are in violation of the University's policies and are checking IDs in accordance with Penn's Open Expression Guidelines. We have opened several student disciplinary cases through the Center for Community Standards, and they are currently proceeding in accordance with our process. Any faculty and staff violations will follow the relevant disciplinary processes. These actions, while unfortunate, are necessary when individuals choose to violate University standards.”
 

Sunday, April 28, 2024, 10:12 p.m.

“After many efforts to engage the protesters, the Interim President and Provost met with several student and faculty protestors Saturday night to hear their concerns. They reiterated to the protestors the importance of complying with Penn's policies, which are designed to support open expression, while ensuring the safety of all on our campus. Tonight, representatives from Open Expression communicated Penn's identification policies and informed the protestors of their obligation to comply with these policies.”
 

Thursday, April 25, 2024, 5:50 p.m.

“As of 5pm this evening, protestors have now set up an encampment on Penn's campus. We are closely monitoring the encampment, and at this time, have not received any reports of threatening or violent behavior by the protestors. We respect and support the rights of our community members to protest peacefully and in keeping with University policy by which we all agree to abide. However, the right to free expression and to protest on our campus is not and can never be absolute. We will not permit protest and speech when it devolves into words and actions that violate Penn’s policies, disrupt University business, or contribute to an intimidating, hostile, or violent environment on our campus. Safety is our top priority, and there will be consequences for actions that are not permitted by University policies or local, state, or federal law.”

For other official University statements please see the University Announcements page.