Case Western University Hosts Police During RNC

Ed. - There was a lot of controversy over Case Western Reserve University President Barbara R. Snyder's decision to host 1,700 out-of-state police officers and 200 members of the National Guard in university dormitories during the Republican National Convention.  (Note the language in the communications below referring to peace officers or to riot police).  Snyder announced the decision in a June 24, 2016 email to the campus community:

Text of June 24, 2016 email from Case Western President Barbara R. Snyder

To the Case Western Reserve University Community:

In recent days we have received questions regarding the presence of law enforcement personnel on our campus during the Republican National Convention (RNC). I write today to provide information and context about those arrangements, and to address some of the existing misconceptions.

First, though, I want to reiterate a point I've made often over the last nine years: The safety of the Case Western Reserve community is our top priority; we would take no action—and accept no action—that threatens the well-being of our students, staff, and faculty.

A decade ago, a coalition of leaders from business, government and other organizations came together to pursue a bid for Cleveland to host a national convention. After falling short in their 2008 and 2012 efforts, they finally prevailed when the GOP announced its selection in July 2014. Throughout all of those years, the group remained driven by a singular goal: to showcase the city’s growing strengths to the world.

Last year, the city of Cleveland asked for our assistance with the convention. They needed rooms to house peace officers providing security downtown. Most of our residence halls are vacant in July, and so, like other Northeast Ohio institutions of higher education, we agreed. Since that time, we also have honored requests for housing for students from more than a half dozen universities, several nonprofit organizations and a few media outlets. In my visits to all of our schools each semester, I have discussed our plans to house peace officers and others coming to Cleveland next month.

I appreciate the concern some feel about having a significant influx of individuals with little knowledge of our campus. I also recognize that the nation has seen too many incidents where some police officers have escalated conflicts to unnecessarily dangerous levels, or demonstrated bias in the way they treat different individuals. Nevertheless, presuming that every peace officer coming to Cleveland is predisposed to violence or discrimination represents its own kind of profiling, and is in direct opposition to our core values as a university.

Frank Demes, the university’s executive director of public safety and security, has spent the past several months working closely with local and state law enforcement leaders regarding the rules and logistics of the peace officers’ stay. He and his team also are in regular contact with university officials from student affairs, housing, and the Office of General Counsel. Security concerns and guidance from federal and other officials require that some facts cannot be shared. Still, we will be as forthcoming as possible within those limitations, and will provide updates as circumstances warrant.

For now, I can provide the following information:

Peace officers will be housed in residence halls on both the north and south ends of campus. They will be clustered among themselves in selected buildings; no other guests, or our students, will be in the same buildings as the officers. As officers deemed to be on assignment per Ohio law, they will be permitted to bring their handguns into their rooms. The university will require those weapons to be secured whenever the officers are in the residence halls.

All of our guests—including peace officers—are required to abide by the university’s policies while on campus. Case Western Reserve’s own police officers and security guards will be present in full force throughout the week to ensure the safety of everyone on our campus; as ever, the well-being of our faculty, staff, and students is our highest priority.

I look forward to providing additional information as soon as it is available.

Barbara R. Snyder
This led to a petition to the University Administration:

Student Safety During Riot Police Occupation of Case Western Reserve University

Whereas Case Western Reserve University leadership has stated that the University will allow 1,500 riot police to stay in student housing during the Republican National Convention;

We, the faculty, staff, employees, alumni, students, community members, and friends of Case Western Reserve University hereby petition the campus administration to ensure that:

1) Riot police store all weapons, equipment, and riot-control gear off campus;

2) Riot police refrain from entering University-owned buildings, with the exception of their assigned residence halls;

3) The University informs riot police that they do not have jurisdiction on campus and that they shall contact campus police in case of emergency;

4) Riot police refrain from using alcohol or other mind-altering substances for the duration of their stay;

5) Riot police expressly consent to abide by University conduct regulations including, but not limited to: antidiscrimination, sexual harassment, substance abuse, and weapons policies;

6) The University bans from campus any riot police officer that violates University conduct policies;

7) The University informs the campus community of the following details by July 1st:
·  The residence halls to which the riot police will be assigned,
·  The dates and times the riot police will be on campus, and
·  The details of the campus security plan to protect the rights and safety of the campus community during the RNC;

8) The University offers alternative housing arrangements for students in University Summer Housing who request reassignment for the duration of the stay of the riot police;

9) The University provides a mechanism for the campus community to report incidences of riot police misconduct.

President Snyder hosted open forums on July 6 and 7.

from Case Western
July 11, 2016

Changes to campus operations during RNC

Guidelines released for on-campus operations July 18-21

Last week’s tragedies have horrified us all and raised profound questions for our country. Amid our shock and grief, we also recognize that our city soon will host the Republican National Convention (RNC), an event that is expected to draw dozens of protests—and could see a significant degree of conflict.

Just as recent events prompted the city of Cleveland to reassess its security plans, so too has the university. After extensive consultation among our leadership team and discussions in last week’s open forums, we have decided that the university will reduce its on-campus operations significantly from Monday, July 18, through the close of the convention Thursday, July 21. We expect to return to regular operations Friday, July 22, but events may require us to extend our scaled-back approach that day as well. If so, the university will provide an advisory with as much notice as possible.

In simplest terms, this decision means that every school and unit has been asked to minimize the number of people on campus, as well as the number of its campus buildings that are open. Below are some details of plans to implement this direction. We will provide additional information as plans become more final; you also will receive more individualized guidance within your specific area(s).

Classes

With some exceptions to be delineated within individual schools, faculty have been asked to identify ways to continue classes off campus July 18-21. They may choose to meet in another location, move instruction online, offer assignments that may be completed off campus, schedule additional classes outside of that week, etc. The University Technology Office (previously known as Information Technology Services) will provide additional support to faculty and students during this period.

Educational Camps

The university hosts a handful of educational camps for middle and high school students each summer. Those camps will not operate on campus during the RNC.

Faculty

All faculty are asked to conduct their work off campus as much as possible. Those whose duties and/or deadlines require coming to campus are asked to minimize whatever time they are on the main campus.

Staff

Deans and unit leaders have been asked to work with their teams to determine how to maintain essential services with the fewest number of staff physically on the campus. In some instances, this goal will involve having employees work off-site; in others, it will require work to be delayed. Under the guidance of the dean or unit leader, supervisors will notify employees this week regarding whether they will be asked to work on- or off-site. Those staff concerned about being on campus during that week will not have to do so.

The Office of Human Resources will be sending a separate communication detailing the protocols involved in implementing this direction, including those for compensation, vacation and other considerations. The guidance also can be viewed by downloading this PDF (single-sign on required).

Students Living in Summer Housing

Students will be asked to consider staying off campus during the week or to live in areas distant from the buildings where police officers and other guests here for the RNC are staying. The Office of Housing will be sending a separate email to these students with additional details about potential arrangements.

Others Living in Summer Housing

These individuals also will be asked to consider staying off campus during the week. They will have access to alternative housing that is available after the university accommodates requests from Case Western Reserve students. The Office of Housing will be sending a separate email to these individuals with additional details regarding options.

Counseling and Other Support

University Counseling Services will continue to offer walk-in services for students who want to talk with someone about their concerns related to recent events and/or the upcoming convention.

The university’s Employee Assistance Service will have a counselor available on campus during the workday for staff or faculty who wish to talk about their concerns.

Working in collaboration with the university’s LGBT Center, the Social Justice Institute will host a “safe space” adjacent to its offices (A15C) in the basement of Crawford Hall during the week. The Interreligious Council also will house a safe space for those who want to talk or reflect about their concerns at the Interfaith Plaza, located just east of the Church of the Covenant, 11205 Euclid Ave. Please contact these offices for schedules and other information.

Kelvin Smith Library

Kelvin Smith Library will not be open during the week of the convention, but some staff will be working remotely and able to assist patrons online.

Tinkham Veale University Center

The Tink will be open during the week, albeit with much reduced food options.

Athletic Facilities

The Veale Athletic, Recreation and Convocation Center will not be open during the week, while the Wyant Athletic and Wellness Center will remain open for those who have appropriate keycard access. One to One Fitness will operate on its normal hours.

Other Questions

Many of your questions will be answered by subsequent university, school or unit communications as well as conversations with your supervisors. If you have remaining inquiries or concerns, please direct them to rncquestions@case.edu.

The university regrets the inconvenience and disruption this development involves, and appreciates your patience as additional details are finalized and communicated this week.
See also opinion piece and comments at:

Anonymous.  "What's a University For? Case Western Suddenly Shuts Down to House Riot Police."  Belt Magazine, July 13, 2016.