Dear Members of the Drexel Community,

I am writing to update you with further details regarding the pro-Palestinian encampment that was set up on Korman Quad last evening.

As of now, about 40 to 60 individuals are participating in this encampment without the University’s permission or authorization. As we shared in last night’s message, to minimize the possibility of further disruptions, including attempts by protesters to occupy our learning and working spaces, we have placed our buildings and facilities on lockdown, with access provided only to those with clearance from Drexel Public Safety. So far, non-Drexel affiliates attempting to enter our buildings have been turned away without incident.

While protest encampments such as this one are not legally protected, we had hoped last night that this demonstration would remain peaceful and respectful of others. Regrettably, that is not the case here. This demonstration already has proved intolerably disruptive to normal University operations and has raised serious concerns about the conduct of some participants, including distressing reports and images of protestors subjecting passersby to antisemitic speech, signs and chants.

These kinds of hateful and intimidating acts must be condemned, and they cannot and will not be tolerated. Moreover, it has become increasingly apparent that most of the encampment participants are outside individuals who are unaffiliated with Drexel. Those who wish to report incidents or share their concerns are encouraged to contact our Office of Institutional Equity and Inclusive Culture (EIC). More information on how to contact EIC and report an incident is available at this link.

Drexel will not allow anyone or any activity to sabotage our teaching and research activities or contribute to a hostile environment that leaves any member of our community feeling threatened, harassed, or intimidated. We are therefore coordinating with local officials and the Philadelphia Police Department to ensure the safety of our community and the continued operations of our academic and research endeavors.

We have opened a line of communication to the protestors and will try to prevail on them to cease and desist from their unauthorized demonstration. To be clear, however, this encampment must end. I want to remind Drexel students who are participating in this protest that they could face disciplinary action for violating our Student Code of Conduct. Encampment participants who are unaffiliated with Drexel are unlawfully trespassing.

Ensuring everyone’s safety and freedom from threats, harassment or intimidation, and preventing damage to our buildings, and campus spaces are my top priorities. That is why we will maintain the lockdown on buildings and facilities on our University City campus and move to remote learning and virtual operations for all nonessential personnel for tomorrow. Anyone with questions about working remotely should contact their supervisor. Researchers engaged in critical activity that requires in-person work will be allowed access to campus with approval from their dean or division head. A separate communication will be sent to deans and division leads with instructions on how essential personnel can obtain clearance from Public Safety to enter a campus facility.

We will continue to provide updates regarding this situation or any changes to the University’s operations. Meanwhile, I ask for everyone’s patience and understanding as we work toward ensuring that our campus can soon return to normal.

Sincerely,

John Fry

President

An estimated 75 pro-Palestinian protesters began to set up an encampment on campus at the Korman Quad. The protesters gathered at City Hall and marched to campus as part of Philly Palestine Coalition’s Nakba Day march to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. 

With campus demonstrations occurring across the country, the setting up on an encampment on Drexel's campus raises understandable concerns about ensuring everyone’s safety. There have been many well-documented instances of hateful speech and intimidating behavior at other campus demonstrations. 

Drexel Police and Public Safety are closely monitoring this demonstration to ensure that it is peaceful and non-disruptive to normal operations, and that participants and passersby will behave respectfully toward one another. We will be prepared to respond quickly to any disruptive or threatening behavior by anyone. 

To underscore the point: We will not tolerate the destruction of property; the harassment or intimidation of our students, faculty or professional staff; or threatening behavior of any kind, including speech that is explicitly racist, antisemitic, or Islamophobic, that creates a hostile environment for members of our community based on race, color, national origin, religious affiliation, or shared ancestry. Nor will we allow anyone who is not a member of the Drexel community to trespass into our buildings and student residences. At the present time, our buildings are on lockdown and open only to those with clearance from Drexel’s Public Safety.

We will keep you apprised of developments as events unfold.

Sincerely, 

John Fry

President

Mel Singleton

Vice President for Public Safety

Subir Sahu

Senior Vice President for Student Success