University President Sarah Mangelsdorf was seen Tuesday participating in a pro-Palestine rally held by the Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
Mangelsdorf stood in the crowd holding a sign that read, “ACADEMIC DIVESTMENT NOW.”
“I’ve been wanting to say something since this started,” Mangelsdorf told her fellow protesters. “I was scared to be the only one speaking out, but I can’t just sit here in silence anymore.”
Mangelsdorf committed to making academic divestment from Israel one of her main priorities as president, and pledged to support student protestors as they continue to make their voices heard.
“My responsibility as [UR’s] president is to protect and support students,” Mangelsdorf told the crowd. “I lost sight of that, but I’m going to do everything in my power to support you all now.”
As part of that support, Mangelsdorf promised to re-examine the reasoning behind all student disciplinary actions taken in relation to pro-Palestine protesting, including the expulsion of the four students responsible for the ‘wanted’ posters.
“[This decision] isn’t just mine to make, but I’m going to force my colleagues to really consider their motivations for suspending and expelling students – just like I have,” she said.
With this new stance, Mangelsdorf joins the increasing number of university presidents standing against President Trump’s new executive orders.
“This was definitely an easier choice because of the others who went first,” she said.
Mangelsdorf also pledged to re-examine the new protest policy, but admitted that it was something that might be a little harder to shift.
“We set up the new policy in response to pro-Palestine protests, which was wrong, but that doesn’t mean the ultimate result is necessarily harmful,” Mangelsdorf said. “The safety of our students is the main thing to consider, and this [new protest policy] helps us keep students safe.”
Students in attendance at the protest were shocked, but hopeful that this was a sign of real change coming to UR.
“I never thought something like this would happen,” said senior and SJP member Kale O’Leaf. “Honestly, I can’t believe it, but I’m so excited for what we’ll be able to accomplish knowing that our university is finally backing us.”
Faculty members also expressed surprise at the development, but seemed a little more concerned with how Mangelsdorf’s promises would play out.
“Don’t get me wrong, making these promises is amazing, but I’m concerned about how much [President Mangelsdorf] will actually follow through,” chemistry professor Molly Cule said. “I don’t want all these students to get their hopes up for nothing.”
Mangelsdorf’s surprise appearance at the protest concluded with an apology.
“In the end, the most important thing for me to say is that I’m sorry,” Mangelsdorf said. “I’m sorry that I didn’t put you all first, and I’m sorry that I didn’t support you. That ends now. The students of the University of Rochester are my main priority, and from now on, I will do anything I can to protect and support you all.”
