Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff Members,

Last night, the Instagram account associated with Swarthmore Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) posted a hateful, racist message that included a reference to the Ku Klux Klan and was directed toward a Jewish staff member. I am appalled that SJP resorted to vile name-calling, and I condemn the group’s use of hate speech.

The post, which has since been removed, came in response to an email from that staff member, who wrote to the organization about an event SJP is planning to take place on campus at noon today. The email reiterated to SJP that, as a result of the interim suspension I announced following the protest in Parrish Hall two weeks ago, the group is prohibited from organizing events on campus.

The group’s actions compelled us to act. We immediately reported the post to Instagram and instructed SJP to remove it. In addition, due to the egregious nature of the public post, combined with the fact that SJP is ignoring the terms of its interim suspension, I have instructed Student Affairs to move forward with a process to determine the appropriate next steps regarding SJP’s status, including the possibility of permanently banning the group from campus. We also reminded other student organizations that sponsoring, co-sponsoring, or acting as a proxy for SJP-related activities is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. 

While the specific members of SJP who posted the content are hiding behind the anonymity of social media, we are working to determine if we can identify those individuals. Let me be clear: Any member of our community found responsible for violating College policy will be held accountable. 

We do not know the nature of today’s event, which is planned for noon by the entrance to Sharples Commons. But in light of what occurred at the Parrish protest two weeks ago, we are taking precautionary measures, including restricting the Dining and Community Commons and Parrish Hall to OneCard access only. If you plan on visiting either of these two buildings, please be sure to have your OneCard with you.

In choosing to come to Swarthmore, each of us committed ourselves to a community that embraces intellectual curiosity, mutual respect, and the free exchange of ideas. We are at our best when we engage with one another with grace, compassion, and understanding — upholding the standards that ensure our campus remains a place of open dialogue, free from harassment and intimidation. I expect that today’s event will reflect those values and the College’s belief in peaceful protest. Actions that violate these fundamental principles of our shared life at Swarthmore will be addressed in keeping with our policies and in the interest of the safety and well-being of the entire campus community. 

Sincerely, 

Val Smith
President