Chapman University and students reach agreement; Gaza Solidarity Encampment to dismantle

The university will not pursue disciplinary action against students for their involvement in the encampment as long as it is cleared by noon on Friday.

Students for Justice in Palestine at Chapman University said Thursday they reached an agreement with campus administration and will shut down their Gaza Solidarity Encampment that formed about two weeks ago, ahead of Friday’s start of commencement weekend.

The student group will be given time during a September meeting of the university board’s investment committee to present their requests on divesting from interests that support Israel and for transparency in investments.

They will also receive help from university officials on creating an effective presentation. And a university spokesperson said the board committee will vote on the student’s proposal.

The university will not pursue disciplinary action against students for their involvement in the encampment as long as it is cleared by noon on Friday.

The first campus graduation ceremony is planned at 10 a.m. on Friday, there is another at 12:30 p.m. and the big all-class ceremony – featuring guest speaker actor Bill Hader – is at 7 p.m.

There are a dozen ceremonies planned between Friday and Sunday.

The university provost has also agreed “to place urgency” behind the creation in the school’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Department of an advocate position the support and education of students Middle East and North Africa descent.

The agreement was reached just as the other Gaza Solidarity Encampment in Orange County was dismantled at UC Irvine by police as they responded to a protest Wednesday. Negotiations between students and administration there had broken down last week when the university issued suspension notices to several participants in the encampment.

Staff Writer Destiny Torres contributed to this report.