Cornell University took disciplinary action against students and faculty involved in an unauthorized tent protest on the Arts Quad, as announced by Vice President for University Relations Joel Malina. The protest coincided with President Joe Biden’s visit to nearby Syracuse. Initially permitted as an art installation by Climate Justice Cornell, the setup violated university policies by including tents, which led to an offer of an alternate protest location that was ultimately declined.
Malina emphasized that the protest’s registration misled university officials by failing to disclose the use of tents, which are expressly forbidden in the specified area for safety reasons. The university provided time for the protesters to comply with the relocation offer, which they did not accept.
Following the refusal to adhere to university guidelines, Cornell stated that it would issue suspensions to the students involved and HR referrals for faculty and staff. The university reiterated its commitment to free expression but underlined the necessity for it to be conducted within established policies to ensure public safety and respect for the community.
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