Encampment Update
To the campus community,
As of this morning, a number of students remain inside the Smith Union despite repeated efforts over the weekend by staff and members of the faculty to convince them to end the encampment. Some students did decide to end their participation and have departed but those who remain require us to keep the building closed today.
The closure of this major convening space has disrupted campus life for other students and for faculty and staff who use the services in Smith Union and for those who work there. Additionally, we have also heard from some members of our community that the encampment has left them feeling unwelcome, intimidated, and unsafe. We are encouraging these students to reach out to their class deans for support or to contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance to make a formal report.
The students involved in this demonstration have strongly held convictions, and activism has a long history at Bowdoin and at colleges across the country. At the same time, activism that includes violations of policies has consequences, and since the encampment began, we have been warning these students about the rules they are violating.
As a result of their actions and their disregard for clearly stated college policies, we have informed all the students involved that they will face our student disciplinary process.
The encampment will end, and we will reopen Smith Union as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Bowdoin Store, C-Store, Café, Jack Magee’s Pub, Sargent Gymnasium, and the Sargent game room remain closed. The mail room is also closed but those expecting urgent incoming mail or packages may contact campus safety and security at 207-725-3314 to have these items delivered. The Buck center and Morrell Gymnasium are open today during their regular hours.
The last three days have been difficult for the Bowdoin community, and I appreciate the efforts by so many to resolve this situation.
Sincerely,
Safa
As of this morning, a number of students remain inside the Smith Union despite repeated efforts over the weekend by staff and members of the faculty to convince them to end the encampment. Some students did decide to end their participation and have departed but those who remain require us to keep the building closed today.
The closure of this major convening space has disrupted campus life for other students and for faculty and staff who use the services in Smith Union and for those who work there. Additionally, we have also heard from some members of our community that the encampment has left them feeling unwelcome, intimidated, and unsafe. We are encouraging these students to reach out to their class deans for support or to contact the Office of Institutional Equity and Compliance to make a formal report.
The students involved in this demonstration have strongly held convictions, and activism has a long history at Bowdoin and at colleges across the country. At the same time, activism that includes violations of policies has consequences, and since the encampment began, we have been warning these students about the rules they are violating.
As a result of their actions and their disregard for clearly stated college policies, we have informed all the students involved that they will face our student disciplinary process.
The encampment will end, and we will reopen Smith Union as soon as possible. In the meantime, the Bowdoin Store, C-Store, Café, Jack Magee’s Pub, Sargent Gymnasium, and the Sargent game room remain closed. The mail room is also closed but those expecting urgent incoming mail or packages may contact campus safety and security at 207-725-3314 to have these items delivered. The Buck center and Morrell Gymnasium are open today during their regular hours.
The last three days have been difficult for the Bowdoin community, and I appreciate the efforts by so many to resolve this situation.
Sincerely,
Safa