June 4, 2024
UPDATE: Vanderbilt releases findings of review examining its response to March 26 reporter arrest
Noted Nashville attorney Aubrey B. Harwell Jr. led an independent review of the decision to arrest a Nashville Scene reporter during a student protest on campus.
The review concluded, among other things, that the arrest of the reporter “was not done to impede or prevent a reporter from covering the protest and, thus, was not contrary to its (Vanderbilt’s) values to support and encourage the First Amendment freedoms of speech, assembly, and press.” The report also, as we expected, recommended areas where Vanderbilt can enhance its operational practices, and, in the spirit of continuous improvement, we promptly are acting on these important and helpful recommendations.
April 5, 2024
An update to the campus community about the protest at Kirkland Hall
Dear Vanderbilt community,
I write to share an update about the student accountability process for the students who forcibly entered Kirkland Hall as part of a protest on Tuesday, March 26.
Vanderbilt’s goal in establishing student conduct policies and holding students accountable for them is to preserve an environment where everyone is assured safety, well-being and an opportunity to flourish.
After a thorough review of the incident, including examination of evidence and interviews with students, the Student Accountability, Community Standards and Academic Integrity staff issued a range of findings and sanctions that took the individual circumstances of each student’s conduct into account. The sanctions included disciplinary probation as well as suspension and expulsion. Students have 10 days to appeal their case to the university’s Appellate Review Board, a body consisting of faculty and students. Detailed information about our accountability process can be found in the university’s Student Handbook.
During the appeal process, students will be able to return to classes, and Student Affairs will continue to work with each student to provide support resources for mental health, academic progress and welfare.
The gravity of this situation and these outcomes weighs heavily on those of us charged with carrying out our responsibility as leaders; we fully understand that student choices and decisions can lead to serious and costly consequences.
I thank everyone for their efforts to pull together and support our educative mission even in the midst of these difficult circumstances.
I am confident that we will move forward together, committed to our shared collaborative culture and mission in support of one another and in service to society.
Sincerely,
C. Cybele Raver
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
April 4, 2024
UPDATE: Noted Nashville attorney to review Vanderbilt’s response to reporter during March 26 campus protest
After the arrest, and subsequent release, of a member of the media during a student protest on campus, Vanderbilt University is reviewing its response to the incident and its policies regarding media access to campus.
Vanderbilt has asked noted Nashville attorney Aubrey B. Harwell, Jr. to lead the review.
Harwell, co-founder of the law firm of Neal & Harwell, PLC, is expected to review what led to the decision to detain the Nashville Scene reporter, explore any steps that could or should have been taken before his detention, and consider how Vanderbilt can best balance its commitment to free expression with its need to maintain safety, privacy and operations of the campus community.
Harwell’s past clients include Bridgestone Americas, Tennessee Valley Authority, Pilot Flying J, the University of Tennessee, The Tennessean and the former Nashville Banner.
Harwell and his firm have extensive expertise and experience in First Amendment law, representing media members and private citizens in matters including advocacy for freedom of expression and freedom of the press, and access to the courts. Harwell will be joined in this review by his partners Trey Harwell, former president of the Nashville Bar Association, and Ronald G. Harris, a recognized authority on First Amendment freedoms who has represented NewsChannel 5, among other media outlets.
The findings of the review, expected to be complete in late spring, will be made public.
March 28, 2024
Vanderbilt University Statement
As a private entity, Vanderbilt has the right to set safety, security, and privacy policies and guidelines around access to private property and buildings on our campus and to remove individuals who attempt to violate those policies. However, our dedication to the values of free expression, including freedom of the press, requires a commitment to openness and accountability. Upon further reflection and recognizing the valuable input we have received, Vanderbilt will review whether the administration’s response to the Nashville Scene reporter’s attempts to gain access to a restricted building on Tuesday aligned with our core values. Vanderbilt will also review and explore updates to our campus access and media policies to best ensure our commitment to freedom of the press going forward.
March 27, 2024
A follow-up message to the campus community about the protest at Kirkland Hall on March 26, 2024
Dear Vanderbilt community,
I am writing with an update on yesterday’s occupation of Kirkland Hall.
All students remaining inside Kirkland left voluntarily around 6 a.m. after forcibly entering the building [see video] shortly after 9 a.m. Tuesday. All protest participants who breached the building will be placed on interim suspension.
The Metropolitan Nashville and Davidson County Magistrate’s Office has charged three students with Class A misdemeanor assault for pushing a Community Service Officer as well as a staff member who offered to meet with them as they entered Kirkland Hall on Tuesday. A fourth student has been charged with vandalism after breaking a window in the building’s exterior Tuesday evening.
A reporter was detained outside the building after making repeated attempts to enter several locked doors that were clearly marked as such and being asked to leave. He was later released and not charged.
Another group of student protesters gathered outside the building this morning. The university will work with them to help ensure that their protest remains consistent with the university’s policies for peaceful demonstration.
Free expression is a core value at Vanderbilt, as is civil discourse. Our policies allow for members of the Vanderbilt community to protest and demonstrate regarding issues they care deeply about, and dozens of peaceful demonstrations have occurred in recent months. In consideration of safety and the university’s normal operations, we, as a matter of policy, define the time, place and manner limitations. The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority. The university will take action when our policies are violated, when the safety of our campus is jeopardized and when people intimidate or injure members of our community.
A university community, by definition, will rarely be in full agreement on any issue. The challenge is to move forward together despite our differences, based on our shared values and common purpose. This is what we must do—and what we shall do in the days to come.
Sincerely,
Daniel Diermeier
Chancellor
March 26, 2024
A message to the campus community about the protest at Kirkland Hall on March 26, 2024
Dear Vanderbilt community,
Early this morning, a group of students forcibly entered Kirkland Hall, the university’s main administration building [see video], which was closed for ongoing construction (and clearly marked as such). Some of the students physically assaulted a Community Service Officer to gain entrance and proceeded to push staff members who offered to meet with them.
Student Affairs staff took a graduated approach to de-escalating the situation. First, they asked students to leave. When the students refused to leave, staff told them that their actions violated university policy and that they would be subject to disciplinary action. After several hours, the university began issuing interim suspensions. At this hour, many of the students remain in the building. We will keep the campus community informed as the situation warrants.
In addition, this afternoon a reporter was detained outside the building after making repeated attempts to enter several doors and being asked to leave. He was later released and not charged.
Free expression is a core value at Vanderbilt, as is civil discourse. Our policies allow for members of the Vanderbilt community to protest and demonstrate regarding issues they care deeply about. Indeed, dozens of peaceful demonstrations have occurred over the past several months. In consideration of safety and the university’s normal operations, we, as a matter of policy, define limits on the time, place and manner of protests. The safety and well-being of our community is a top priority. The university takes action when our policies are violated, when the safety of our campus is jeopardized and when people intimidate or injure members of our community.
The war in Gaza and the passionate opinions on all sides of the issue pose a test of our commitment to free expression and respectful dialogue. We hold fast to this defining value of our university while prioritizing safety and our ability to carry out our mission. Tonight, I urge each of us to reflect on how we can continue to do the hard work of voicing our opinions and advocating for what we care about while at the same time respecting and preserving this vital community that enables us to do so much more together than we could do alone.
Sincerely,
C. Cybele Raver
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
