New Protest Guidelines for UC and CSU Campuses

As the new academic year begins, the University of California (UC) and California State University (CSU) systems have introduced stringent protest regulations aimed at preventing potential campus unrest related to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The new rules prohibit encampments, temporary or permanent structures, and the wearing of masks intended to conceal identities during protests. These measures are seen as a proactive response to anticipated demonstrations. The regulations come in the wake of a lawsuit filed by Jonathan Groveman, a member of the Davis October 7th coalition, who alleged that pro-Palestinian protesters at UC Davis obstructed his access and assaulted him. Groveman expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the new rules, emphasizing the need for accountability from university regents, especially in light of the state withholding $25 million from the UC system until compliance reports are submitted. Omar Altamimi from the Council on American Islamic Relations criticized the new policies as retaliatory, suggesting they may provoke further unrest among students. He previously assisted student protesters in understanding their rights, indicating a growing concern over the implications of these regulations on free expression. Legal experts, such as UC Davis Civil Rights Professor Vik Amar, argue that while the government can impose regulations on protests, they must not infringe upon free speech. The effectiveness of these new policies will largely depend on how campus police choose to enforce them, a matter that remains uncertain as neither Sacramento State nor UC Davis provided comments on the situation.