Pro-Palestinian students at Occidental College have established an encampment, demanding that the school’s Board of Trustees sever all financial ties with Israel, private prisons and weapons manufacturing. The site, located at the private liberal arts college south of Eagle Rock, has been dubbed the “Rafah to Jenin Liberated Zone.”
Demands and Student Activism
The encampment appeared on Friday, with student leaders describing the site as a “people’s university” created in solidarity with oppressed peoples from Tongva to Palestine. Organizers claim they have gathered over 600 signatures from students and community members to support a new divestment proposal.
Student leaders expressed frustration that the board refused to place their proposal on the agenda for a meeting scheduled for Monday. They further demanded divestment from ICE detention centers, citing military strikes on over 30 universities in Iran and ongoing air strikes in southern Lebanon.
College Administration Response
In a statement released Saturday, Occidental College officials confirmed that approximately 50 individuals, including eight non-students, gathered in the quad to set up semi-permanent structures. The administration stated that these actions violate the Student Code of Conduct as well as “Time, Place, and Manner” policies.
College leadership noted that whereas they are committed to free and peaceful expression, campus safety remains their top priority. Campus Safety officers have engaged in peaceful discussions with participants, and the college has already begun conduct processes.
Procedural Next Steps
The college has initiated a mandatory 45-day comment period for the community regarding the recently submitted divestment proposal. Following this period, the Board of Trustees will evaluate the proposal according to policy stipulations.
To manage the situation, the college has augmented its on-campus security. Because the administration is monitoring the situation and following established policies, future actions could include further conduct proceedings or a resolution following the evaluation of the proposal.
Frequently Asked Questions
What specifically are the students demanding from the Board of Trustees?
Students are demanding that the board divest from any financial ties with Israel, weapons manufacturing, private prisons, and ICE detention centers.
How many people are currently involved in the encampment?
According to college officials, approximately 50 individuals have gathered in the quad, which includes students and eight non-students.
How will the college handle the divestment proposal?
The college has started a 45-day comment period for the Occidental community, after which the Board of Trustees will evaluate the proposal in accordance with policy.
How should universities balance the right to peaceful expression with the enforcement of campus safety and conduct policies?
