Proposed University policy changes related to protesting leave some students feeling uneasy

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) — Three months after protests erupted at the U of I and other campuses across the country, there are now proposed changes to parts of the University’s policies. It’s leaving some students feeling uneasy.

Back in the spring, an encampment stood on U of I’s Main Quad . Students, staff and other community members were asking the University to divest funds from companies involved with supplying weapons to Israel.

The U of I has several policies related to exercising freedom of speech. The Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) group feels recent proposed changes to four documents could limit their right to protest.

Allison Vance, the university’s director of messaging, said in a statement that the U of I is trying to make policies clearer and easier for anyone to find and understand.

On the Campus Administrative Manual’s website, there are four policy changes posted to the public open comment section. They are related to the use of University property, expressive activities, reservations and signage.

Those are the four documents the SJP group has an issue with. They feel these are increased efforts to silence student voices.

On their Instagram page, they made a statement which said in part:

“We must refuse policies designed to intimidate, silence and suppress student speech, and subject students to law enforcement and risk of police violence.”

Students for Justice in Palestine

Meanwhile, the U of I said in part:

“We are making changes to allow everyone to exercise their rights of expression in ways that create a lively and vibrant exchange of ideas on campus while limiting disruptions to the learning environment, university operations and campus activities.”

Allison Vance, director of messaging

You can see the proposed policies at this link . They are in the open comment section for at least 15 days before they’re finalized and submitted for approval.

The U of I also created a new website to have all their policies linked in one place. They hope it is more accessible than before.

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