A second round of negotiations between the USC Divest From Death Coalition and President Carol Folt concluded at the Ronald Tutor Campus Center Tuesday, once again ending with demands from both sides unmet.
While Folt reaffirmed the university’s dedication to freedom of speech on campus, the encampment organizers were unable to receive a satisfactory update about their goals, the largest of which being divestment and transparency on USC’s endowments.
In the first round held on Monday, the coalition and the administration put forward their asks, reaching no middle ground. The coalition said the overall discussion was “frustrating.” A day later, Folt’s team was ready to meet a second time, with demands like moving the encampments to avoid disruption at commencement among others.
“We listened. We had a lot of conversations back and forth and I feel like that’s very meaningful. And I hope we continue to have meaningful conversations. I think it’s interesting and important,” Folt said to Annenberg Media after the hour and a half long meeting. “I also feel very grateful to everyone for keeping the campus so that people can continue to go about [safely].”
Folt did not address whether there would be another meeting at the time of the interview.
Annenberg Media spoke to Gould School of Law Professor Jody Armour who attended both meetings. Armour stated that he acted in a supportive role for the USC Divest From Death Coalition organizers as an observer.
“[The students] are doing all the heavy lifting, they acquitted themselves extremely well,” Armour said. “They really repped powerfully for the camp and the people who are participating in this particular anti-complicity, anti-war effort.”
Although he said he does not believe much progress has been made as a result of the most recent meeting, Armour highlighted that it is a step in the right direction.
“I think it will depend on what the follow up is,” he said. “And we’re going to have to see if there is – after the students look at the divestment possibilities and the information about where investments are going, etc. – something that can help [the organizers] find some sense of having them believe that there’s real disclosure going on.”
Later in the day, Folt posted a statement to her social media accounts reiterating the “respect” she holds for the organizers’ “passion” to their cause. She went on to say she recognizes the “pain and suffering” taking place in USC’s community as well as in the Middle East.
“Unfortunately, they seemed more interested in having me issue a political statement in support of their viewpoint as opposed to coming up with practical solutions to resolve the situation,” her statement read.
Another statement was issued via email Tuesday evening, where Folt addressed the dissatisfaction with the outcomes of the meetings and outlined new changes to the commencement ceremony.
An important addition to the day will be a “designated Free Speech Area” for peaceful protestors and student journalists. The area was created as a solution to avoid obstruction, harassment, threats, or discrimination.
Reiterating “unshakeable commitment to free speech”, the email stated that USC will continue the “important outreach to all members of our community – including our Jewish and Israeli communities, our Palestinian and Muslim communities, as well as others.”
Armour stated that a point of contention during the meeting was the subject of moving the encampment. While, according to Armour, the university wants to move the students from their current location at Alumni Park during commencement preparations and ceremonies, the encampment organizers believe it is antithetic to their goal.
“One of the students’ responses, of course, was that ‘business as usual’ is what you’re resisting and fighting against. We’re trying to resist complicity in evil and injustice,” Armour said.
Both Folt and Armour stated that it was relatively productive that both the administration and protesters are engaged in a dialogue.
“It was important for both sides to hear very clearly what their fundamental concerns are. And those were expressed very clearly,” Armour said.
The USC Divest From Death Coalition has yet to issue a statement. There are no plans for another meeting and it is unclear whether any action will be taken by the university to move the encampment.