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Our agreement with the Â鶹ƵµÀStudents for Justice in Palestine, Â鶹ƵµÀJewish Voices for Peace, and others participating in the demonstration includes the following commitments:

• The demonstrators agreed to immediately begin removing tents and showing signs of decamping. No later than Friday, May 10, at 6 p.m., they will remove all tents, tables, signs, and other belongings, depart from the Quad, and discontinue their occupation of that area or any other area on campus. 
• Demonstrators agreed not to return to occupy the Quad or any other area on campus in a manner that is inconsistent with College policies or without prior approval of an authorized College official.
• In addition, the demonstrators agreed not to cause or promote substantial disruption of Occidental’s Commencement ceremony on May 19, 2024, which would create safety concerns for attendees, violate any College policies, or require pausing, canceling, or relocating the event.

Assuming that the demonstrators uphold their commitments, I will convene a meeting this month with designated members of the College’s Board of Trustees, senior leadership, and faculty. At this meeting, representatives from Â鶹ƵµÀStudents for Justice in Palestine will present their proposal regarding divestment. The Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees will subsequently meet in a special session to prepare a recommendation for the full Board of Trustees, with reference to the committee’s Statement on Investment Policies and Objectives. The Board of Trustees will consider Â鶹ƵµÀSJP’s Divestment Proposal and vote on a related recommendation of the Investment Committee at the Board’s upcoming business meeting. The College will inform the community of the Board’s action.

If the student demonstrators adhere to the commitments above, Occidental will not initiate conduct proceedings against them based solely on their participation in the demonstration or violation of specified time, space, and manner policies. This agreement only applies to conduct occurring up to and including the date that student demonstrators leave the Quad, and only as long as student demonstrators do not increase current levels of encampment, signage, or other activities. The College may still investigate or initiate conduct proceedings (including through the Office of Student Conduct or Civil Rights & Title IX Office) related to any reported violations of other College policies, or any conduct occurring after the demonstrators’ departure from the Quad.

During our discussions, all who were involved on Occidental’s campus remained open to a respectful dialogue despite the challenges inherent to engaging in protest. Our focus has been, and continues to be, providing a safe learning, living, and working environment for the entire Occidental community.

As the academic year at Occidental comes to a close, we are looking forward to a successful conclusion of final exams and projects—and to a joyous celebration of the accomplishments of this year’s graduates with their families at Commencement.   

President Elam