May 7, 2024
Dear Members of the Gonzaga Community,
Last Wednesday, “GU Community for Justice in Palestine” staged a walkout/demonstration on Gonzaga’s campus and presented a letter of demands to the administration. In a response to the group, I acknowledged receipt of the letter, and expressed gratitude for the ways in which the group engaged. I offered to meet with representatives or leaders of the group to discuss their demands and ways in which the University could best engage in dialogue.
Initially, this invitation was accepted, but was withdrawn later in the day. The reversal was accompanied by a second letter calling for an open community meeting, expressing concerns that a meeting behind closed doors would – based on historical precedence – be used to “disempower student movements and stall progress.” The group set forth additional parameters for a meeting and concluded its letter by promising non-violence and we are hopeful that this will continue as they respond to our offer of further dialogue.
Gonzaga believes in supporting social activism and in so doing owes it to everyone – including those Gonzaga community members involved with “GU Community for Justice in Palestine” – to engage in conversation about the ways activism can or must occur at a Catholic and Jesuit university. This not only involves logistics; it involves the obligation to engage in academic and intellectual discourse by appropriately engaging stakeholders, and to share information and perspectives that represent a deep, informed, and well-reasoned activism. All of the demands made by “GU Community for Justice in Palestine” exist in relation to actions that are “owned” by multiple constituencies and require engagement with those constituencies. In short, these are conversations that cannot be discussed with administration alone but require broader community discussion with multiple constituencies.
If Gonzaga is to be true to its mission, its members must find ways of interrogating the arguments at the core of social movements through an intellectual lens on the path to action. This is difficult when emotions are high and human life itself is at stake. But if yielding to our passions means foregoing the intellectual project, we have de facto abandoned our fundamental purpose as an academic institution. This is not to suggest that we as individuals, or the collective university, cannot or should not take immediate action to render direct aid or assistance to the afflicted. We should come together in solidarity with those who seek a more just and peaceful world; our Jesuit charism demands it.
The protest that occurred on Gonzaga’s campus last Wednesday was non-violent. To some, it was experienced without negative incident. However, some who bore witness to it (or the media reports about it) experienced it as offensive, intimidating, anxiety-provoking, and fear-inducing. Gonzaga has received calls from parents and complaints from GU community members that some aspects of the demonstration and subsequent demands may have crossed the line into antisemitism, whether this was intended or not; great care must be taken by all members of this community to avoid bias and discrimination in their advocacy efforts. We are obligated to investigate these concerns and are in the process of doing so. As has been previously communicated, there is no acceptable circumstance in which any member of our university community should be made to feel fearful or intimidated based on their religion, race, ethnicity, sex, gender, or any other protected identity.
Several faculty members who are deeply committed to peace activism, human thriving, and the success of the academic project have communicated to me their concerns about the organization of the protest, the specific demands issued, and the implications of responding without appropriate consideration of the full range of ethical, social, political, and moral issues this organization, and the demands it makes, represent.
Taking the above into account, I want to share the following with the Gonzaga Community:
First, I reaffirm the Administration’s desire to meet with Gonzaga student, faculty, or staff representatives or members of “GU Community for Justice in Palestine” to discuss their demands. Given that a GU community forum for discussion that allows for authentic engagement by all members of the community on these issues is not practical before the end of the semester, such a meeting or meetings could occur during the summer months.
Second, Gonzaga has an obligation to maintain a safe campus environment, conducive to learning; published policies regarding student, employee, and visitor conduct are operative and will be enforced. Every university establishes policies that constitute the behavioral expectations for members of that institution. These policies are established to protect every individuals’ access to the educational experience itself; some are intended to assure opportunity free of discrimination. If disruption of Gonzaga University’s operations or events occurs due to demonstrations, action will be taken to minimize the disruption, with consequences for those who do not follow the directives of University officials and other authorities.
Finally, I join with all those who grieve the horrific loss of life in Gaza and Israel. The daily media reports of death and destruction are painful to witness, and I understand the pain and anger of those who want to see the death and suffering end. I also support the need to bring awareness and attention to the situation, and to find ways to a peaceful resolution to this conflict. At Gonzaga, I am hopeful that we can support these efforts by bringing people together and creating meaningful opportunities for lasting change.
Sincerely yours,
Thayne M. McCulloh, D.Phil.
President