May 10, 2024
To the PSU Community,
The past few weeks have been a challenging time for PSU. As leaders of the Board of Trustees, we believe it is appropriate to provide the PSU community with a statement about the events, as well as to respond to certain communications we have received.
As an institution, PSU is committed to protecting freedom of expression, which includes peaceful protest. Freedom of speech, as well as academic freedom, are cornerstones of higher education.
At the same time, PSU has an obligation to ensure a safe environment for all members of our community, as well as to enforce rules that allow the university to thrive. Any speech that violates our Code of Conduct by threatening student or faculty members under PSU’s Prohibited Discrimination and Harassment policy is simply not permitted.
Prior to the more recent events, a group of individuals staged a protest at our January 26 board meeting. That protest included the use of a megaphone and shouts that prevented the board from conducting business. The group involved then vandalized property and blocked individuals from leaving the meeting location once the meeting concluded, requiring campus police to secure their exit.
Following the meeting, the university initiated disciplinary proceedings against the individuals involved for violations of the PSU Code of Conduct and other policies. The board fully supports President Cudd’s efforts to hold the responsible individuals accountable. It is not permissible to engage in conduct that prevents meetings from being conducted, damages property or violates other university rules.
More recently, as our community is well aware, another protest led to a large group breaking into and entering the Millar Library. This occupation, which led to significant interior and exterior damage to the library and the painting of desecrating graffiti everywhere, required President Cudd to request assistance from the Portland police to create a peaceful resolution.
President Cudd did not make this decision lightly. As president, her obligation is to ensure the safety of all students and that those students have natural and expected access to a secure and enriching environment within all of our university facilities. The president had, and continues to have, the full support of the board in her efforts to fulfill those obligations.
PSU is a community made up of people with many different views and aspirations. Students and faculty who wish to advocate a position are free to do so. No members of our community, however, have the right to intimidate others, shut down meetings or engage in illegal activity.
A critical element of PSU’s mission is to prepare students for success in life post-graduation. Our pluralistic democracy requires us to engage in dialogue with those who hold different views, challenge our own views and treat others with civility. We hope all members of the PSU community will reflect on these facts and the events of the last few weeks as we navigate the challenges we will face in the months and years to come.
Very truly yours,
Benjamin Berry, Chair of the Board of Trustees and Members of the Executive & Audit Committee of the PSU Board of Trustees