This week, President Kathleen Murray and Dean of Students Patti Kersten silently released two new policies that will bring monumental changes to students’ rights to protest and express themselves. The Dean of Students and Conference and Events (CEM) released two different policies about camping and freedom of expression on campus.
The Dean of Students created a new policy, “Freedom of Expression and Interest,” stating that students must notify the administration about future demonstrations and protests. The policy requires students to complete a “Notice of Intent to Demonstrate or Protest” form at least three business days in advance. This form asks students to provide details aboutinto when and where the protest or demonstration will take place, as well as the students’ personal information and plan of action. The university then approves or denies the notice. If approved, the Dean of Students Office will meet with the submitter and appropriate offices and employees before the protest or demonstration take place. The need for protest approval can and will allow the administration to pick and choose the issues students can publicly speak out on across campus.
Likewise, the encampment policy, “CEM: Prohibition of Camping on University Property,” outlines the requirements students must follow if they wish to lead an encampment. The policy states that the University is interested in controlling and maintaining property bythrough prohibiting unauthorized camping paraphernalia, including but not limited to tents, beds, bedding, warming equipment or any other form of temporary shelter. The policy also states that students are not allowed to sleep outside on any university property with or without camp paraphernalia between 12 a.m. and 8 a.m.
After multiple student-led protests, including advocating for the administration to disclose financial investments, the timing of these policies appearsappear retaliatory. The language in these policies does not effectively point to who had input in creating them, nor who is involved in the approval process of these policies. This leaves students wondering why they were created in the first place. These new policies contradict the very definition of protesting. They set a dangerous precedent for the safety of students expressing both global and internal issues on campus. This is not in linein-line with the university’s values and actions during notable student-led protests.
This is not the first time that university officials have changed course unexpectedly. During the 2024 spring semester, students occupying Old Main were assured amnesty and protection from law enforcement during the demonstration. Sanctions were placed on these students directly after the semester ended.
Hamline prides itself in being an advocate for social justice and change. However,But these policy changes are inconsistent in the narrative that Hamline sells.
Worse, these changes were made by an interim administration, made up of several people who will not hold their current positions on campus in a few months’ time. It is troubling that this change has been made covertly. The policy was not crafted collaboratively with students, staff or faculty. Instead, university officials created it behind closed doors and rolled it out to a select group of students after the policy was already written. Rather than formally announcing the policy, administrators hid it in an obscure corner of the website that prevents students from easily accessing not only this policy, but all Hamline policies. There has still yet to be an official announcement from the universityby the University. In addition, this document cannot be downloaded, copied or even printed by students. Hamline sells itself as a university committed to social justice and positive change, but its policies tell a different story.
This policy is out of step with Hamline’s core values. It seeks to limit free expression and free speech. It should be repealed immediately and those responsible should be held publicly accountable. As students, we hold the importance of the First Amendment dear to our work and our way of life. We support the art of peaceful protests and the right to free speech. All deserve the right to speak up on the world’s injustices in a community they hold close.
