UO Matters

Dear UO employees,

The University of Oregon firmly supports free expression, peaceful protest, and legal strike activities. These are essential rights protected by the First Amendment and core to our identity as a public institution of higher education. But those rights do not extend to behaviors that intimidate others, obstruct essential operations, or create conditions of physical threat or other harm to those in our community.

Over the past several days, protest activities organized by the University of Oregon Student Workers union (UOSW) have disrupted three important university events, two of which were private: the first hosted by the Division of Equity and Inclusion and the Office of Human Resources about employee engagement, the second, by Admissions designed to deliver college preparation resources to high school students, including those from underrepresented backgrounds, and the third, a Conversation on Democracy’s Future, sponsored by the School of Global Studies and Languages and Department of Political Science–as well as the Global Studies Institute and the Wayne Morse Center for Law and Politics–with invited faculty from Stanford and members of the public.

During these disruptions, protesters created a threat to health and safety by exceeding fire marshal occupancy limits, blocking exits and intimidating participants, which included invited guests and minors. Protestors also used amplified sound indoors and at volumes that not only violated the sound policy but also intimidated and caused physical pain to some attendees, including those with hearing devices.

In addition — and notably — protesters have interfered with the delivery of food and essential medication, affecting fellow students who depend on these deliveries. This includes interrupting and preventing a planned distribution of produce to food-insecure students.

These disruptions violate university policy, community norms, health and safety codes, and, potentially, applicable law. They are neither protected speech nor part of lawful protected work stoppage action. Actions taken by these protesters also threaten the integrity, safety, and inclusivity of our campus. They are especially troubling when they target programs aimed at supporting our most vulnerable and historically underserved communities.

The university is actively reviewing these incidents and will take all appropriate action, including possible legal and disciplinary action.

Our commitment to free speech is unwavering, but so is our responsibility to maintain a secure, respectful, and welcoming campus for all. These actions cross a line between peaceful protest and actions that infringe upon the rights and safety of others.

The university continues to come to the bargaining table in good faith. The most recent bargaining updates and FAQs can be found on the HR website.

Sincerely,

Christopher P. Long
Provost and Senior Vice President 

Mark Schmelz
Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer