DePaul president describes 17-day encampment, $500,000 in damage and changes to campus policy

DePaul University President Robert Manuel described a prolonged campus encampment that began April 29 and remained in place for 17 days, causing what he said was major disruption to campus life.

Manuel told the House Education and Labor Committee that DePaul's response included coordinating with the Chicago Police Department to clear the encampment when campus safety was jeopardized. In testimony and during questioning he said the university investigated eight student groups related to events surrounding the encampment, temporarily suspended two groups and reported two arrests; he said he believed one person arrested was a student. Manuel said he did not believe any students were permanently dismissed as a result of the encampment, and that the university has updated its student-conduct code and increased public-safety spending and operational measures.

Lawmakers cited reports that the encampment produced substantial property damage (a figure of about $500,000 was referenced in questioning) and hundreds of complaints from students, including multiple reports of harassment, threats and alleged assaults. A student who testified earlier in other settings told the committee a fellow student required surgery after an attack connected to the encampment.

Manuel said DePaul has implemented ID verification and mask policies for protests, time/place/manner restrictions, hired outside security consultants and an external reviewer for campus safety, and established a Jewish engagement position and a task force on antisemitism.

Several members pressed Manuel on timing, asking why it took days to coordinate action to disband the encampment once officials were aware of threats. Manuel acknowledged the university needed to do better; he said the experience prompted the policy changes now in place. He also said the university had removed certain outside groups from campus and worked with local officials to better protect students in public-right-of-way spaces around the urban campus.

DePaul's account at the hearing illustrates the tension between allowing protest and ensuring student safety; Manuel said the university has revised practices to reduce the chance of a similar multiweek occupation recurring.