Key takeaways
- Modifications in effect this fall. To ensure equal access to our educational programs and activities, and to enhance the safety and security of our community, certain modifications will go into effect on campus at the start of the fall semester.
- Key components of this enhanced safety program. ID cards will be required to access buildings, new dedicated campus safety staff have been added, and policies regarding no encampments or similarly disruptive activities will be strictly enforced.
Consequences of noncompliance in the form of encampments or other similarly disruptive activities. Should anyone involved still involved in such activities refuse to comply with to the College’s policies when asked to do so by an officer of the College, further actions will be taken, which may include internal disciplinary process and citation, detention and arrest by law enforcement.
Dear Â鶹´«Ã½ Community:
We hope you had a restful and joyful summer. This weekend we welcomed our first year and transfers students, and we’re looking forward to seeing all returning students by the end of this week.
We write to provide updates on changes you will see on Pomona’s campus as well as information about longstanding College policies around free speech, student code and Claremont Colleges demonstrations.
The College is committed to the safety and wellbeing of our students, staff and faculty. We firmly support the rights of free expression in ways that uphold our academic mission. Consistent with those principles, the College has procedures in place for members of the community to request space for gathering and peaceful demonstrations.
Last spring, when protests moved beyond the bounds of these existing policies, taking over shared space and forcing the displacement of our graduation celebrations, our campus and its academic mission was compromised. Such illicit activities violated our policies and our values of mutual respect and care. When there were violations of policy in the form of a gathering, students were given a call to disperse prior to consequences being invoked.
In late spring, the campus sustained significant damage due to vandalism, which led to hours of cleanup labor and expensive equipment replacement and repair costs. Staff labor was needed repeatedly during and after the encampment to remove graffiti that defaced the historic Bridges Auditorium and the Stover Walk Memorial to members of our Sagehen community, as well as Smith Campus Center, Alexander Hall, the President’s House, Marston Quad and various sidewalks around the Quad. Given the extent of the barricades and the jerry-rigged construction, the encampment posed a danger to its inhabitants and anyone who approached too closely. The painstaking process to disassemble and remove the materials used to create and fortify the layered encampment barricades was not only extensive and costly, but it also created serious hazards that had to be carefully managed to ensure the safety of our employees. The occupation and defacement of the graduation structure and accompanied disruption prompted the relocation of the commencement ceremony to Los Angeles. This cannot happen again.
CAMPUS CHANGES STARTING THIS FALL
To minimize disruption to the College’s learning and teaching mission, to ensure equal access to our programs and activities, and to enhance the safety and security of our community, the following modifications will go into effect on campus at the start of the fall semester. More details about the changes can be found in this FAQ.
ID card access to buildings
Â鶹´«Ã½ buildings serving academic, administrative and support functions will be accessible by ID card access or key only. We encourage all students, faculty and staff to carry their Â鶹´«Ã½ ID with them while on campus to allow access to campus buildings.
Authorized employees may submit a to facilities to review requests for adjustments to access of buildings.
Alexander Hall access
Access to and exit from Alexander Hall will continue through the north entrance, where there will be safety officers to ensure access is limited to Alexander Hall staff and individuals with appointments in the building.
Later this year, access to Alexander Hall will be directed to the west entrance facing College Avenue. A more accessible Alexander Hall entrance design is underway and will involve installing an information/welcome desk. We expect this project will be completed by the end of the 2024 calendar year.
Dedicated Pomona campus safety officers
The College will be strengthening the overall security presence on campus by adding five dedicated campus safety staff: one sergeant and four officers. This will help promote a safer environment for students, faculty and staff. By having staff specially dedicated to Pomona, members of our community will get to know the officers. There will be opportunities this fall to meet these new staff members of our community.
These officers will be able to respond to campus emergencies of all types and will be integrated into the College’s emergency plans and protocols. They will be trained in areas such as de-escalation, mental health crisis intervention and cultural competency.
No encampments
Encampments on Â鶹´«Ã½â€™s campus violate College policy and are unlawful. They also take over space that rightfully belongs to the entire community and can pose a potential danger to those within them, whether from their construction or from other unlawful activity or by creating a target for counter-protesters.
Consistent with established College policy, students, staff and faculty must identify themselves, if requested to do so by College officials or security personnel, including law enforcement officers. Those who fail to do so may be subject to sanctions, which may include internal disciplinary process, and citation, detention and arrest by law enforcement agents.
In responding to the establishment of an encampment or other similarly disruptive activity, the College will first provide direction to involved parties to stop these prohibited activities. Should the behaviors persist, notice of consequences associated with the continued disruptive activities will be provided; and the individuals involved will have a final opportunity to leave. Should those involved still refuse to conform to the College’s instructions and policies, further action will be taken, which may include internal disciplinary process and citation, and ultimately detention and arrest by law enforcement. Consistent with our emergency response protocols, Â鶹´«Ã½ leadership retains the right to involve law enforcement personnel when internal measures fail.
Be aware that non-Pomona affiliates engaged in an encampment or other similarly disruptive activity are in violation of the law and therefore subject to prosecution.
Campus Safety and Law Enforcement
It is important for our community to understand that our campus safety staff are here to work with our community and respond to emergency situations. They are not law enforcement officers and have limited powers and authority. Because the Claremont Colleges do not have sworn police as part of our campus staff, we necessarily rely on local law enforcement for support and aid when the safety of our community and the exercise of our academic mission require it.
While we recognize that calling police raises concerns for many in our community, the structure of our campus safety system requires that we have this option at our disposal.
We will continue to support the right to protest in ways that are consistent with the Claremont Colleges demonstration policy.
We appreciate your attention to these updates. For more information regarding these changes, please visit the campus changes FAQ. We wish everyone a strong start to the year ahead and a successful semester.
Avis Hinkson, dean of students and vice president for student affairs
Jeff Roth, vice president, chief operating officer and treasurer
Bob Robinson, assistant vice president, facilities & campus services