by Andrew Alonzo | aalonzo@claremont-courier.com

Pomona College has changed its rules regarding campus demonstrations for the 2024-25 school year, including banning encampments.

The move follows last year’s many protests demanding the school divest from companies profiting from the war in Gaza, and a ceasefire in the conflict, during which 19 Claremont Colleges students were arrested at an April 5 sit-in at Pomona President Gabrielle Starr’s office. Those cases are still winding their way through the court system.

In an email to students Monday afternoon in front of Tuesday’s convocation at Bridges Hall of Music, Starr wrote, “The following safety guidelines will be enforced during this College event: – Pomona College ID card must be presented for entry. – Masks will NOT be permitted inside the venue unless medically necessary. (Masked individuals will be asked to remove their mask for identification only.)”

The Tuesday protest was peaceful, with no police presence.

Monday’s email followed an August 21 correspondence from Pomona College Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Treasurer Jeff Roth to students, informing them of the new policies.

“We write to provide updates on changes you will see on Pomona’s campus as well as information about longstanding College policies around free speech, student code and Claremont Colleges demonstrations,” Roth wrote. “The College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and faculty. We firmly support the rights of free expression in ways that uphold our academic mission. Consistent with those principles, the College has procedures in place for members of the community to request space for gathering and peaceful demonstrations.”

The policies include the banning of encampments, contending they “violate College policy and are unlawful.”

Last year a pro-Palestinian encampment remained for weeks ahead of the college’s 2024 spring commencement, causing “significant damage due to vandalism, which led to hours of cleanup labor and expensive equipment replacement and repair costs,” according to Roth’s email. Pomona College held its commencement in Los Angeles last year. And though the protesters followed them to LA, the ceremony went off without a hitch.

“Given the extent of the barricades and the jerry-rigged construction, the encampment posed a danger to its inhabitants and anyone who approached too closely,” Roth wrote. “The painstaking process to disassemble and remove the materials used to create and fortify the layered encampment barricades was not only extensive and costly, but it also created serious hazards that had to be carefully managed to ensure the safety of our employees. The occupation and defacement of the graduation structure and accompanied disruption prompted the relocation of the commencement ceremony to Los Angeles. This cannot happen again.”

Roth’s email also laid out the school’s new disciplinary policy.

“In responding to the establishment of an encampment or other similarly disruptive activity, the College will first provide direction to involved parties to stop these prohibited activities,” he wrote. “Should the behaviors persist, notice of consequences associated with the continued disruptive activities will be provided; and the individuals involved will have a final opportunity to leave. Should those involved still refuse to conform to the College’s instructions and policies, further action will be taken, which may include internal disciplinary process and citation, and ultimately detention and arrest by law enforcement. Consistent with our emergency response protocols, Pomona College leadership retains the right to involve law enforcement personnel when internal measures fail. Be aware that non-Pomona affiliates engaged in an encampment or other similarly disruptive activity are in violation of the law and therefore subject to prosecution.”

Other changes this year include making Pomona College buildings accessible by ID or key card only, and safety officers directing traffic to and from Alexander Hall through its north entrance.

“Later this year, access to Alexander Hall will be directed to the west entrance facing College Avenue,” Roth wrote. “A more accessible Alexander Hall entrance design is underway and will involve installing an information/welcome desk. We expect this project will be completed by the end of the 2024 calendar year.”

Pomona College also added one sergeant and four officers to its campus safety force who will “respond to campus emergencies of all types and will be integrated into the College’s emergency plans and protocols,” according to Roth.

Roth wrote that though campus safety officers have limited powers and authority, the Claremont Colleges still reserve the right to call local law enforcement to its campuses.

“While we recognize that calling police raises concerns for many in our community, the structure of our campus safety system requires that we have this option at our disposal,” Roth wrote. “We will continue to support the right to protest in ways that are consistent with the Claremont Colleges demonstration policy.”

Roth noted three “key takeaways” from the rule changes:

The first, “Modifications in effect this fall. To ensure equal access to our educational programs and activities, and to enhance the safety and security of our community, certain modifications will go into effect on campus at the start of the fall semester.” The second, “Key components of this enhanced safety program. ID cards will be required to access buildings, new dedicated campus safety staff have been added, and policies regarding no encampments or similarly disruptive activities will be strictly enforced.” The third, “Consequences of noncompliance in the form of encampments or other similarly disruptive activities. Should anyone still involved in such activities refuse to comply with to College’s policies when asked to do so by an officer of the College, further actions will be taken, which may include internal disciplinary process and citation, detention and arrest by law enforcement.”

More information on new rules at Pomona College is at pomona.edu/campus-changes-fall-2024.