A message from WFU administration

May 1, 2024

This message was emailed to the community on May 1. Responses to Frequently Asked Questions have been added following the original message.

Dear Wake Forest community,

Around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, a group of approximately 20 students began demonstrating peacefully on Hearn Plaza in solidarity with pro-Palestine activists on campuses across the country. The demonstration transitioned to assembling tents on Hearn Plaza around 6:30 p.m. Administrators informed students that erecting tents and remaining overnight was inconsistent with the intended and approved use of the space and violated health and safety policies.

Throughout the evening, our shared goal was to keep everyone safe and avoid disruption of our academic mission and planned campus activities. It was a priority to seek a peaceful outcome. Administrators and the organizers of the demonstration remained in dialogue throughout the evening, night and early morning, and reached an agreement shortly after 9 a.m. that led to students agreeing to take down the tents in the encampment.

University security was present throughout the evening to ensure the safety of everyone involved. No additional law enforcement agencies were engaged or present on campus.

We respect and uphold the rights of our community to peacefully assemble, and are committed to protecting free expression while ensuring the safety of all on campus. This requires us to uphold our policies and practices in support of a campus environment conducive to our academic mission.

Students will be permitted to continue to demonstrate, in accordance with our policies and in an area designated by the University for free expression with appropriate displays, which may include signage and unoccupied tents without an encampment.

We want to thank the administrators, staff, faculty and students who facilitated and engaged in dialogue toward a peaceful resolution.

A deep commitment to dialogue and civil discourse, in addition to our care for one another, are hallmarks of Wake Forest’s identity and values. In this difficult moment for higher education, the U.S., and our global communities, we will continue to uphold this commitment and ask for each member of our community to do so as well.

Sincerely,

Susan R. Wente
President

Shea Kidd Brown
Vice President for Campus Life

Michele Gillespie
Provost

Jackie Travisano
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Frequently Asked Questions

The following FAQ is based on inquiries made to the University call center and posted on May 2. Additional questions may be directed to 336-758-7500.

What took place on Hearn Plaza (the Quad)?
Around 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 30, a group of approximately 20 students began demonstrating peacefully on Hearn Plaza in solidarity with pro-Palestine activists on campuses across the country. Around 6:30 p.m., tents were erected. Administrators informed students that these tents were not in line with the approved use of the space and violated health and safety policies. After discussion overnight, students began removing the tents around 9:30 a.m. Wednesday morning.

Were additional law enforcement agencies brought to campus?
No. The demonstration was peaceful.

Were any of the protesters not members of the Wake Forest community (i.e., students, faculty, or staff)?
Many people have come and gone from campus and congregated near the demonstration but those involved in the demonstration itself have all been students. Wake Forest faculty and staff have frequently visited with students involved with the demonstration and those observing.

Will students be disciplined?
Our immediate goal was to keep everyone safe, find a peaceful resolution, and avoid disruption of our academic mission. The University will follow its normal process for conduct reviews. Consistent with obligations under federal privacy regulations, the University will not be able to share additional information.

How is the University supporting students most impacted by these events, including Jewish and Muslim students?
We continue to provide direct support to our Jewish and Muslim student communities in as many ways as we can. University Police is maintaining a visible presence on campus and the University is closely monitoring ongoing developments.

Where can students get support?
Students in need of assistance with mental health or concerned about a friend, classmate, colleague, or student on campus, should call 336-758-CARE (2273) or visit we.wfu.edu to learn more. Additional student support resources are available on the campus life website here. Members of the Wake Forest community can report concerns about discrimination or harassment at the bias report website here.

Is the demonstration still taking place on campus?
Yes. Both pro-Palenstinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators are peacefully congregating in locations designated by the University.

How are you supporting free speech and assembly?
Students will be permitted to continue to demonstrate in designated locations on Manchester Plaza, in accordance with University policies. This may include signage and unoccupied tents without an encampment.

How does Wake Forest determine what kind of speech crosses a line to hate speech (and thus is not protected speech)?
Please see our website on freedom of expression and academic freedom.

Are protests and/or counterprotests contrary to Wake Forest’s values?
No. Wake Forest is deeply committed to dialogue and civil discourse. We respect and uphold the rights of our community to peacefully assemble, and are committed to protecting free expression while protecting the safety of all on campus. This requires us to uphold our policies and practices in support of a campus environment conducive to our academic mission, whether that be in a protest or counterprotest.

What did the student protesters and the administration agree to?
Most importantly, students and administrators agreed to remain in conversation and agreed to the terms that would allow demonstrations to continue so long as they do not violate University policy and participants comply with directives of University officials.

Why did student demonstrators demand the removal of Starbucks from campus and why did administrators agree?
Starbucks was scheduled to be replaced after Commencement prior to the demonstration. That business decision was made unrelated to the protest activity, which began in April. University administrators began reviewing campus dining options in the winter and issued a competitive request for proposals. While the demand was related to Starbucks alleged involvement in Israel, the company has clarified that it has no stores in Israel and shared more information regarding misinformation here.

Why was the campus webcam turned off?
The visibility of tents on Hearn Plaza was causing concern among off-campus observers and leading to inaccurate comparisons to out-of-control protests taking place on other campuses. We chose to turn the cameras off until we could add more context to the conversations taking place between administrators and student organizers.

Does this impact the Class of 2024’s Commencement in any way?
All plans for Commencement remain the same.