Message from President Cudd Regarding Thank you to the PSU Community, Campus Open May 3
May 2, 2024
4:13 p.m.
Dear Campus Community,
These past few days have been among the most existentially challenging in the history of Portland State University. With the help of our partners, we have cleared trespassers from the Branford Price Millar Library. Twelve protesters were arrested this morning and we understand that four of them were PSU students. At this time, crowds are dispersing and police are starting to leave campus.
If you are looking for information about how the events of the morning unfolded, I invite you to view the press conference that I participated in with city officials at noon today.
I know our cooperation with the Portland Police Bureau was upsetting to some in our community and I want to address that directly. We would not have taken that step if we thought this matter could be resolved in any other way. As I reported to you on Wednesday, I negotiated with students, with the assistance of three faculty members, to provide an opportunity for students to leave the library with minimal adverse consequences. While we learned from the faculty members that 50-100 students then left the library, the ones who remained chose not to accept my offer and made it clear that they would not leave voluntarily.
The Millar Library is a safe space for our students and others, and it is the workplace of dedicated professionals who provide essential educational services. It is the center of our campus; it’s not just about the books or the building. The library is the symbol of our entire academic enterprise. It should be accessible and safe for all of our students.
The Millar Library is currently unsafe for access; the occupiers not only extensively vandalized the exterior and interior walls, but they stole some of our valuable collection and equipment. The fire safety systems were also badly damaged. The library staff are working hard to set up remote services for students and faculty to use until we can get our beloved library back online. Please refer to these frequently asked questions regarding access to services when the library is closed and read this statement from the library.
It is my expectation that campus will be open tomorrow thanks to the tireless work of many. Most of us are exceedingly eager for a return to class, to work, and to being together on campus in community.
I am urging all of us to come together at this time and return to campus tomorrow. I hear the voices that have been raised in protest and PSU remains a safe place for free speech and academic freedom. We all want to see a peaceful resolution to the war in Gaza, but we also want to see peace on our campus and on the streets of Portland. This message that was shared with students earlier today has many helpful resources for all of us. I know we will get through this if we stand together.
Sincerely,
Ann Cudd
PSU President