UCI chancellor says plans are to continue discussions Monday with student protesters

UC Irvine chancellor told the campus community in a Friday night message that university officials intend to continue discussions with student protesters who formed a Gaza solidarity encampment earlier in the week.

Though more demands have been made in a counterproposal received Thursday – some of which he said “can be easily met” but some “challenge the very core of our mission” – Chancellor Howard Gillman said in the released message he remains “optimistic that we will be able to arrive at a mutually agreeable resolution of this situation.

“At this time, we are scheduled to continue our discussions on Monday,” he said, adding the encampment that has been near Rowland Hall since Monday has remained peaceful – which he said the students protesters have helped ensure.

“As long as this remains the situation, there is no cause to involve law enforcement, except as needed to help ensure the safety of the protestors and others in the area,” he said.

The pro-Palestinian encampments that have formed at campuses around the country, including UCI and also Chapman University in Orange County, have generally called on universities to divest from companies with ties to Israel and weapon manufacturers.

Those encamped at UCI have asked for donations of supplies to help sustain their effort.