Detroit Evening Report: First WSU Board of Governors meeting since encampment moved online
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Pro-Palestinian protesters march along Wayne State University's campus in Detroit on May 23, 2024.
Wayne State University Board of Governors has moved its Wednesday meeting online.
It is the first virtual BOG meeting since Wayne State police removed a Pro-Palestinian student encampment on campus last month.
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Pro-Palestinian students involved in the protests say they are outraged by the move, since this is the first opportunity for engagement with the Board of Governors after the encampment was removed on May 30 and 12 people were arrested.
Students say they want answers from the Board about university funds that go toward war manufacturers and a police resolution. They also want to know why the police were sent to dismantle the encampment.
The administration told students at the encampment to bring their concerns to the next meeting.
Over 200 faculty have protested the university’s response to the encampment arrests, which included six students. Many of them allegedly received trespassing and felony charges last month.
The university requires people to submit a request to comment 48 hours before the meeting Wednesday. If approved, people will receive instructions on how to make those comments.
Public comments have been moved to the end of Wednesday’s meeting, which student protesters say further shows that university officials are not interested in engaging them on good faith efforts.
The university did not specify why the meetings were moved to livestream only. WSU Associate Director of Communications Bill Roose says the formats and locations of the meetings are at the discretion of the Board of Governors.
He says the meeting will feature two presentations about university investments, prior to public comments at the end.
People can log in to view the meeting, set for 3 p.m. Wednesday, June 26, at wayne.edu/live.
Other headlines for Monday, June 24, 2024:
- Opioid recovery homes are expected to increase in Michigan thanks to a $2.5 million grant provided to the state Housing Development Authority.
- The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is hosting two virtual baby showers for expectant parents in July.
- Detroit City Council District 4 is hosting a community bike ride at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 27, at Chandler Park.
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