March 13, 2025
On Sunday, March 9, the University received a report of vandalism of an approved, on-campus installation created by the Recognized Student Organization (RSO) Maroons for Israel. The removal or vandalism of approved installations is a violation of University policy and violates the University’s longstanding commitment to free expression.
The installation was set up on the Main Quad on Monday, March 3, with the appropriate approvals from the Office of Student Centers. On Sunday, March 9, Student Centers received notice that part of the installation had been damaged. Student Centers worked with the affected student group upon receiving the report of vandalism, and the group has filed a police report. The incident is being investigated by the University of Chicago Police Department (UCPD). Anyone with information related to the incident should reach out to UCPD.
The ability of RSOs to display messages of their choice is an important form of free expression on our campus, and vandalizing such installations is never acceptable. The University also does not tolerate harassment directed at individuals or groups.
Maintaining UChicago’s environment of free expression for a wide diversity of perspectives takes unremitting effort on everyone’s behalf. Students in need of support can contact the Dean-on-Call.