Today’s meeting with DePaul Divestment Coalition

Safety and Physical Plant Issues

May 10, 2024

Dear Faculty, Staff, and Students, 

This afternoon, Provost Salma Ghanem and I, along with members of the engagement team, held our second meeting with student leaders of the DePaul Divestment Coalition.  

Since this encampment began 11 days ago, we have been guided by a focus on creating a collective future and a devotion to freedom of speech, academic freedom, and empathy for all involved. I do believe that our students in the encampment have good intentions, and I am encouraged by our continued conversations.  

In today's meeting, we shared our dire concerns about hazards in the encampment that pose significant safety and security risks. We delivered a list of the essential safety protocols that require immediate fixing. Here is the list we shared with the student leaders: 

Health and Safety  

  • Remove all barricades and discard plywood and pallets into the dumpster 
  • Remove all tarps from fences  
  • Do not attempt to access any building roof or climb fences 
  • Reinstall metal grates over the ventilation shaft at the north end of University Hall 
  • Do not share DePaul IDs with non-students 
  • Empty overflowing trashcans in the encampment area 
  • Remove all tents and equipment from the east side of the fire lane 

Community Relations  

  • Adhere to the City of Chicago 10 p.m. noise ordinance  
  • Do not engage with neighbors passing through or next to the Quad 
  • Do not place additional stickers or decals on any City of Chicago property  

Respect The Campus  

  • Do not place additional stickers or decals on any university property 
  • Do you place unapproved signs or flyers inside any university building  
  • Do not chalk on any surface other than sidewalks 
  • Do not deface or modify statues of Catholic religious figures 

Our next meeting with student leaders from the DePaul Divestment Coalition is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Monday.  

I remain hopeful that our conversation with the DePaul Divestment Coalition will continue and pray that we will reach a peaceful solution soon.  

Sincerely,
Robert L. Manuel President

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