LEADERSHIP NOTES

Throughout the day, University officials spoke with the demonstrators, including a two-hour meeting with senior administrators this evening, to convey that while we strongly support free expression, the safety of all members of our community cannot and will not be compromised, nor can their expression disrupt the learning environment or University operations.

Earlier this morning, community members attempted to set up a tent encampment on Deering Meadow on the University’s Evanston campus, an act that is prohibited under University policies.

The following aims to clarify some misinformation that the University has seen in media and social media about the demonstration that took place Monday, April 15.

On Wednesday, the Cook County State’s Attorney’s Office, after consulting with representatives from the Students Publishing Company (SPC), decided to dismiss criminal charges against two Northwestern students who had been charged with theft of advertising services in the distribution of “fake” Daily Northwestern newspapers last October.

The University was notified by the U.S. Department of Education that it has opened an investigation into a complaint that Northwestern violated Title VI of the federal Civil Rights Act. The University will respond to the Department of Education and cooperate with its investigation.