Illinois State University administrators have told a group of pro-Palestinian students who are camping on the Quad to take down their tents and structures or face consequences for violating school policy.
The tents went up midday Tuesday, with ISU students joining their counterparts on dozens of campuses nationwide in setting up encampments to demonstrate support for Palestinians. A group calling itself Students for Justice in Palestine ISU in the encampment has shared a list of demands sought from ISU, following the broader boycott, divest and sanction [BDS] movement.
ISU spokesperson Chris Coplan told WGLT that “university officials continue to monitor the situation closely.” He said ISU “steadfastly upholds the right to freedom of expression,” but “maintains clear policies and procedures to responsibly manage the time, place, and manner of activities in our campus facilities and spaces.”
That includes the Quad. ISU policy prohibits “constructing structures on University grounds” without prior approval. The pro-Palestinian demonstrators didn’t get prior approval for any tents, Coplan said. ISU policy also prohibits temporary signage (like banners) from being affixed to university structures without presidential approval.
Throughout the day Tuesday, ISU staff “diligently reached out to engage with participants of the demonstration, ensuring clear information on these policies was provided to those in attendance,” Coplan said.
“Demonstrators were informed [that] remaining in the Quad and use of hammocks is permitted, but that erecting tents and other structures is not permitted,” he said. “The participants were directed to dismantle tents and structures and informed of the consequences for choosing not to do so.”
Violation of policy could result in sanctions, including but not limited to, the Code of Student Conduct, ISU policies applicable to employees, and other available methods, according to ISU policy.
Photos circulated on social media showing a printed letter purportedly delivered to Quad demonstrators, threatening interim suspension, termination for any employees involved, and citation or arrest for those unaffiliated with the university.
ISU's College Democrats group condemned what it called the university's "vile and disgusting threats."
"Students should not be threatened with being denied access to their dorms or classes that they paid for because the University is uncomfortable with its own students hanging banners and pitching tents on the Quad alongside so many others across the nation," the College Democrats posted on Facebook.
Why they’re demonstrating
The demonstrators say there’s been little dialogue with ISU about their actual concerns, tied to the Israeli war in Gaza. Student Steven Lazaroff said Tuesday from the Quad that they want ISU to take action to pressure Israel to stop the bloodshed in Gaza that's escalated since the Hamas group launched an attack on Israel from Gaza on Oct. 7.
"We're out here today demanding that ISU disclose their investments in Israel and genocide and divest from those institutions," said Lazaroff.
Lazaroff said one of the identified companies is the heavy equipment maker Caterpillar, including at least $1.2 million the company gave ISU for a manufacturing lab. An auditorium in the State Farm Hall of Business also bears Caterpillar's name.
Sophomore Aya Hussein said the university should give the money back.
"Yeah, honestly, it is money that is unfortunately in blood," said Hussein.
Caterpillar also sells large construction equipment to Israel.
“Caterpillar is very well known for sending bulldozers over that have bulldozed a lot of Palestinian homes and continued to aid Israel in pushing away Palestinian families,” said Hussein.
Demonstrators at ISU in previous years also focused on Caterpillar and its large machines that are sold to Israel.
Universities often have argued divestment is difficult and impractical, said, but claimed that Cornell has done it, so it can be done.
Calling for ceasefire
The group also wants the university to add its voice to other demands for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
Hussein stressed the members of the encampment are non-confrontational.
"It's a nonviolent method that shows the students' interests while also maintaining a peaceful atmosphere on campus. We just wanted to sit here to both gain attention and do it in a way that isn't totally obstructive," said Hussein.
Indeed, ISU policy says the university will generally “not interfere” with protests in public areas unless they “disrupt, interfere with, or prevent the orderly conduct of a function or activity” or meet certain other conditions. And ISU policy generally does not require a reservation to use the Quad unless “services of the University” [like chairs or sound equipment] are needed.
Lazaroff said they hope others will join them on the Quad.
"What you do is fight where you are at. I'm out here because this is where you fight here at ISU. There is always a connection between the world and where you are at," said Lazaroff. "Movements need people. They thrive on humans coming together. This is an open camp for anyone that is in solidarity with Palestine."
Given public accounts of groups at other universities, group spokesperson Raseel Khwaiss said it's important to say Students for Justice in Palestine ISU is not antisemitic.
"We welcome our Jewish brothers and sisters with open arms. We have no intention of doing any harm. No ill will towards any Jewish students on campus, towards any Jewish person, any Jewish civilian, even within Israel, we fully support the right to freedom," said Khwaiss.
The group has not had much response from the university to its requests for dialogue, said Khwaiss, including a petition to become a registered student organization.
“When we attempted to reach out to become an official registered student organization (RSO), we unfortunately did not hear much back from ISU. When we became affiliated with the National Organization of Students for Justice in Palestine, we also did not hear back from ISU," said Khwaiss. “So, it's really been dead silent."
She said they have also reached out to faculty, filed requests for financial information, and sent a letter to ISU President Aondover Tarhule.
On WGLT's specific request related to ISU's financial ties to Caterpillar, ISU’s Coplan replied: "The University has received requests for the information you reference and is currently working to verify records and provide a response under the Freedom of Information Act.”
Some members are prepared to stay at the encampment through the summer, Khwaiss said. At least two professionals wearing high-visibility vests labeled “Demonstrator Safety Team” were seen on the Quad on Tuesday afternoon, trying to talk to demonstrators.
‘Right now, the biggest concern is making sure that everything is peaceful, everybody is able to be relaxed on campus but also see our message. We are hoping that over time, people will be able to see that this is a cause worth fighting for, even if it is just lying on the lawn and just chanting,” said Hussein.
Hussein urged the university to negotiate.
“What works for both of us? What works to be able to get the students to be able to feel comfortable in the fact that their tuition money is not going to genocide?” said Hussein.
