Leaders at the University of the South reportedly caved to the demands of pro-Palestinian protestors who were occupying the All Saints’ Chapel on the school’s campus.
Among other things, the protestors demanded full disclosure of how the school spends its $400,000 endowment and that the school cut ties with any organizations that make weapons used against Palestinians.
The school released the following statement on behalf of Vice-Chancellor Dr. Robert Pearigen (pictured above), which acknowledges that the school gave in to some demands from the agitators but does not say which ones:
At the first meeting, he read the University’s response to the protesters’ demands, as articulated by the group through their posters. This response represents the administration’s good faith commitment to address our students’ concerns. As such, he asked that students end the protest on the roof and in front of All Saints’ Chapel and refrain from disruption of University activities. The University respects the right of free expression and will permit students to relocate, if they wish, to ensure the safety of all involved.
He also made it clear that many of the actions taken constitute clear violations of the Student Code of Conduct, and students who remain in the area of All Saints’ Chapel, including on the roof and the patio, will face suspension or expulsion.
Later in the day he returned to All Saints’ Chapel to follow up on their earlier conversation and share a few additional thoughts. He urged students to dismantle their protest at All Saints’ Chapel and gave them time to comply.
According to the protestors, the school also gave them full amnesty from disciplinary action.
The Tennessee Star reached out to the University of the South for further information on the concessions made by the school, but The Star’s comment request was not returned.
Pro-Palestinian protests have rocked the state of Tennessee and are escalating nationwide, especially on college campuses.
As reported by The Star, the Palestine Hurra Collective Nashville held a rally in downtown Nashville on Wednesday evening, demanding the “liberation of all oppressed peoples.”
“Join us on May Day as we aim to build intergenerational solidarity across our communities and show up for the students who are steadfastly protesting against their university that is funding this genocide,” that group said in an Instagram post. “As workers & students, when we are united, we cannot be defeated!”
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on Twitter/X.
Photo “Robert Pearigen” by University of the South.
Pitiful, this is not leadership. It is certainly not the “University of the South” anymore.
Are the protesters also going to demand divestment from the countries that supplied the arms used to attack Israel on October 7?