New York University

New York University

The Office of Public Affairs

Friday, Feb 20, 2009

N-301R, 2008-09

New York University is pleased to report that the students who sat in the Kimmel Center’s cafeteria and disrupted services have peacefully exited the building.

Robust dialogue is a customary, normal, and expected part of the interaction between students, faculty, and administration at NYU. But it is not appropriate for it to take place while there is an ongoing violation of university rules.

Despite the protesters’ stated principles that the protest was to be non-destructive and non-violent, the protesters, despite specific warnings to stay off the Kimmel Center balcony, broke the lock to gain access to the balcony. The protesters also injured an NYU security officer during a scuffle. These actions dishonor NYU’s commitment to free exchange of ideas, reasoned debate, and legitimate forms of protest.

From the outset, the University made clear to the protesters that they were violating the University rules and engaging in improper activity. Nonetheless, the University offered to sit down and have a dialogue with the students if they left the cafeteria early the night of February 19.

The 18 students who stayed through the night of February 19—after rejecting the University’s offer to leave the building—have been suspended pending the outcome of the university’s disciplinary process.

No students who were participating in the demonstration in the Kimmel Center cafeteria were arrested by the New York Police Department.

None of the students’ demands was met.