UCLA Academic Senate Divided on Handling of Pro-Palestinian Protest

UCLA faculty reject censure and no confidence resolutions against chancellor after attack on pro-Palestinian encampment

TFD – The UCLA Academic Senate faced intense criticism over the handling of a pro-Palestinian protest on campus, resulting in a divided vote on censuring Chancellor Gene Block. The violent counterprotest has sparked widespread debate over campus safety and free speech rights.

The UCLA Academic Senate, facing growing criticism for how it handled a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus that was violently attacked by counterprotesters, decided against censure and a vote of no confidence in university chancellor Gene Block.

While debating whether “Chancellor Block failed to ensure the safety of our students and grievously mishandled the events,” faculty members were divided on Thursday.

On the motion to censure Block, 50% of votes cast were in favor. The motion of no confidence in Block garnered 43% of votes in favor.

After the vote, University of California President Michael V. Drake said in a statement: “These are extraordinarily complex and unprecedented times for American universities. I appreciate Chancellor Block’s dedication and commitment to the University during these difficult times. We will continue to provide our chancellors with the support and resources they need to respond to these ever-evolving situations.”

“It is evident that we are divided in our assessments of the significant events of the last few weeks and the campus response to them as we all digest the results of the votes by the Legislative Assembly on May 16, 2024, on the resolutions of no confidence and censure of the Chancellor,” Kasko stated.

UCLA and Block have been contacted by TFD for comments.

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators set up an encampment at UCLA as part of a nationwide movement that swept university campuses, demanding that the school cut all financial ties with Israel and raising awareness of the widespread deaths and destruction in Gaza.

When counterprotesters stormed the pro-Palestinian campsite on April 30, law authorities stood by for hours until the worst violence resulting from the continuing campus protests nationwide over Israel’s war in Gaza broke out.

The encampment’s organizers claim that over 150 students “were assaulted with pepper spray and bear mace,” and that at least 25 demonstrators were taken to nearby emergency facilities.

A TFD analysis of video, social media posts, and interviews revealed that some of the most dramatic attacks captured on camera that evening were carried out by individuals outside of UCLA, not the students and faculty who were later taken into custody. This is true even though a criminal investigation into the assaults is still ongoing.

Following the incident and amid criticism directed against the university, Block declared that security procedures at UCLA would be altered. In order to best safeguard the school community, he stated that it is evident that “urgent changes are needed in how we administer safety operations.”

According to a statement from Block, the university reportedly stated that it is looking into “a group of instigators” who attacked the encampment.

It is imperative that we hold those responsible for this attack accountable and improve our campus safety procedures. Block stated in the May 6 statement, “Our community members can only learn, work, and thrive in an environment where they feel secure.”

Other universities and their leaders have faced backlash over their response to campus protests as well. This week, arts and sciences faculty at Columbia University passed a vote of no confidence in the school’s president, Minouche Shafik, who has been under intense scrutiny for her handling of campus protests and her congressional testimony on the subject.

The USC faculty senate last week voted 21–7 to reprimand USC President Carol Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman for a number of concerns, including the eviction of a protest encampment off campus and the deployment of Los Angeles police to detain demonstrators.

Staff and faculty voice disapproval

A letter was sent to Block by hundreds of University of California employees and faculty, “calling on him to fully protect our students’ safety and security, and to honor their first amendment rights to free speech, and condemning the horrific violence perpetrated against our students on April 30.

Days later, more than 900 University of California faculty and staff signed a letter demanding Block’s resignation following the arrests at the campus.

Chancellor Block has clearly failed our university after the violent and aggressive police sweep of the Palestine Solidarity Encampment on May 2, 2024, which resulted in the arrest of over 200 students, faculty, and staff while they were peacefully protesting,” the letter stated.

Our right to free speech and peaceful protest is at the core of this,” stated Rafael Jaime, a UAW 4811 president and graduate assistant in the English department. “Our ability to speak up on all issues is threatened if members of the academic community are beaten and maced for peacefully demonstrating on this issue.”