Brown University reported that approximately 90 students were observed setting up an encampment and staging a protest around 6 am ET on Wednesday, as confirmed by a university spokesperson. This action was deemed a violation of University policy.
The students involved have been informed that they will be subject to 'conduct proceedings,' according to the spokesperson.
The university emphasized that while protest is an acceptable form of expression at Brown, it crosses a line when it contravenes University policies designed to safeguard the well-being of the Brown community and ensure that the regular operations of the University are not disrupted.
The spokesperson noted that while there have been reports of violence, harassment, and intimidation at some encampments on other campuses, such behavior has not been observed at Brown. Any instances of such conduct would not be tolerated.
Addressing misconceptions, the spokesperson clarified that the university's policy prohibiting encampments has been in place since 2011. However, it was recently reformatted and relocated to a different section of the school's policies website as part of a long-term project.