Administration

Students lead peaceful protest as University leaders call for civility

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – University leaders watched Wednesday (Dec. 3) as nearly 100 students took part in a second silent 45-minute protest opposing recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, this time lying on the ground in front of Old Main. Earlier in the day, administrators condemned uncivil and racist remarks that appeared on social media following a similar protest in the HUB on Tuesday.

The demonstration, known as a “die-in,” involves participants lying down silently on the ground. The University Park events were part of dozens of similar die-ins being held across the country this week in protest of this summer’s killing of a black teenager by a white police officer in Ferguson. The protests have evolved into a broader movement and conversation about race and justice, with a Twitter hashtag of #BlackLivesMatter.

“I am proud of our students who have chosen to look beyond their own issues, beyond our campus and to act upon the deeper issues in society and the world,” said Penn State President Eric Barron, who stood on the steps of Old Main and then shook hands and spoke individually with protesters. “As a university community, each one of us should seek out diverse opinions to challenge ourselves and perhaps make us uncomfortable. Make us think.

“Changing the world or even a small part of the world begins with individuals who care enough to express their views, listen openly to other views and work toward solutions,” he said.

In addition to commending students who were tackling issues of racism and social justice, Barron also denounced the negative and harassing social media comments posted by mostly anonymous individuals following Tuesday’s HUB protest by the same group of students. The president said that an email message on the issue of maintaining civility had been sent earlier in the day to all University Park students, and carried his "full support."

“As leaders in this institution, we condemn hate speech and expressions of racism in any form. And as members of a learning community, we accept and embrace a wide range of opinions, seek diverse viewpoints that will challenge us to think broadly, and value perspectives that may be different from our own. We ask all members of our community to do the same,” said the email message signed by Nicholas Jones, executive vice president and provost, and Damon Sims, vice president for student affairs.

The brief note from the pair of administrators echoed an earlier message from Penn State’s full leadership in September that asked the community to “consciously choose civility” when engaging in discussions or debate, as a way to strengthen the Penn State community.

“Civility is vital to any expression, and its absence only creates deeper divides among us,” said the email from Jones and Sims. “Let us all contribute to a more just and tolerant society.”

Last Updated December 3, 2014