The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee warns that camping on campus is illegal

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee warns that camping on campus is illegal

The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee warned protesters who set up camp on its campus Monday that “camping on campus is illegal” and violates state code.

“The vast majority of protests on the UWM campus in recent months have been peaceful and lawful, and UWM is steadfast in respecting the right to free speech. At the same time, it is important that we maintain a safe and welcoming environment for us students, employees and visitors,” the school said in a statement.

The university also reiterated its call for a ceasefire in Gaza and the release of the hostages.

“We reiterate our call for an end to violence by joining the White House and international leaders in calling for the release of the hostages and a ceasefire. We say this knowing that, as a public university, we have no direct ability to impact the consequences of the war in Gaza.”
The university said it had received a list of demands from the protesters, including calls to suspend academic ties with Israeli institutions.

“Although UWM does not have an active study abroad program with universities in Israel, prohibiting faculty from engaging with any institution or country would violate their academic freedom. While we understand the protesters’ desire for the safety and security of everyone in Gaza, restricting freedom academics or freedom of speech will not achieve that goal,” the university said.

Amid widespread calls from US student protesters for their schools to divest themselves of entities profiting from the war in Gaza, the school also said it “has no investments in arms manufacturers.”

Many of the concerns from the protesters were addressed in meetings between students and administrators, the university said.

“We ask once again that people respect each other’s different views and laws so that we all feel safe and welcome here,” the school said in a statement.