Over the past 75 years, Brandeis students have exercised their right to freedom of speech by conducting protests and rallies on campus. In 1969, on January 8, a group of African-American students staged a takeover of Ford Hall, demanding a change for better minority representation on campus. This sparked waves across the University, as other students went on hunger strikes and conducted sit-ins as a way of expressing solidarity. This protest lasted eleven days, and while not all demands were met, student protestors were granted amnesty. A year later, the University administration signed an agreement with the Afro-American Organization to bring 80 additional minority students to Brandeis. This is just one example of protest demonstrations on campus. Since 1969 there have been other instances of students, faculty and facilities fighting for social change: the Pearlman Hall take-over (1970), Apartheid Protest and Divestment movements (1970), the Ford Hall protest (2015), Brandeis Employee rallies (2024), Brandeis staff, students and facilities protest against merit delays (2024).  Protesting is at the core of a University that since its founding has prided itself on valuing inclusion and justice.  As best demonstrated in Brandeis’ mission statement, this institution “Honors freedom of expression and civility of discourse as fundamental educational cornerstones.”

However, on April 7 Interim President Arthur Levine ’70 in an email titled “Affirming Brandeis’ Values,” expressed that there would be new guidelines for student protests on campus such as: no face coverings (only allowed for religious and medical reasons) and disciplinary action for students who invite non-Brandeis community members. This sentiment was echoed by the Executive Vice President of Finance and Administration, Stewart Uretsky, Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs, Carol Fierke and Vice President of Student Affairs, Andrea Dine in an email titled “Maintaining Campus Safety.” All parties conveyed that following Levine’s email, students who are protesting on campus will now have to present their student identification cards and those who wear face coverings will now be required to remove them, with exemptions for religious or medical reasons. As students, faculty and facilities continue to protest on campus, it is unclear how these new rules will be enforced and what disciplinary actions will look like. While protecting those on campus is incredibly important, it is imperative that the administration delivers concise guidelines for student protestors.