Those who remain in an encampment in the Memorial Union quad now face “investigation and potential sanctions,” according to Oregon State University Vice President for University Marketing and Relations Rob Odom.

In a statement released by Odom to the OSU community on May 22, the demonstrators are now liable to be investigated under the “Student Code of Conduct, other university policies or criminal statutes.”

The statement does not specify which policies or statutes, or how many demonstrators are to be investigated.

The encampment was established by Students United for Palestinian Equal rights at OSU on May 15, which Odom says is “a pro-Palestinian protest movement demanding colleges and universities take positions on foreign policy related to violence in Gaza, Israel and the region.”

According to the statement, OSU has “made significant good faith efforts” in discussing with organizers how the school will address concerns brought forward by students regarding the university’s involvement in the Israel-Palestine conflict, which have been characterized by “mutual respect” and resulting in “progress.” 

These concerns, released by SUPER as a list of demands, include amending OSU Foundation’s investment policies, publishing a “library guide,” establishing fundraising efforts, calling for the university to issue a “public statement calling for an immediate and permanent ceasefire in Gaza” and more.

Now, students face “potential sanctions,” as the encampment “violates the university’s free expression and ground use policies by draining limited public safety resources, raising safety concerns.”

Odom said the university has acknowledged the “direct negative impacts” the events in Israel and Palestine have had on OSU community members, but that the demands brought forward by demonstrators have asked the university to in many cases “take positions contrary to our [OSU’s] commitment to free expression, academic freedom and our role as a public institution.”