Emergency

The following was shared with news media

ARCATA, California — Protestors continue to occupy Siemens Hall, plus another building at Cal Poly Humboldt. Campus will now be closed through the weekend, and work and instruction continue to be remote. The University is making various contingency plans, including possibly keeping campus closed beyond that. 

The safety, health, and wellbeing of our students is paramount as the situation has become increasingly complex. There are unidentified non-students with unknown intentions, in Siemens Hall. This creates an unpredictable environment. In addition, all entrances to the building are barricaded, creating a fire hazard. Adding to health and safety concerns, many toilets are no longer working.

The occupation of Siemens Hall causes complex operational challenges that require the closure of other facilities on campus. In particular, there is a risk of other buildings being occupied, as protestors have shown a willingness to enter unlocked buildings and either lock themselves in or steal equipment. The occupation is also having a negative impact on other students, who are trying to complete classes at the end of the semester.

Campus officials are communicating with protestors and continuing to encourage them to leave as soon as possible. 

As protestors have been told, the continued occupation of the building is causing the ongoing closure of other campus facilities. Upcoming activities and events are being canceled, while other important events such as IdeaFest are in question.

In recent days, hateful graffiti has been painted on university property. The University condemns in the strongest terms all forms of hatred, bigotry, and violence. Anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, hatred, and bigotry in all forms have no place at Cal Poly Humboldt. The University is actively offering support to all students and has been in touch with local Jewish community leaders.

The University supports free speech through open dialogue that is respectful and constructive. That does not include behavior that involves destroying and damaging property, and disrupting students, faculty, and staff from learning, teaching, and working. Everyone deserves to be in an environment where everyone can feel safe, included, and respected. 

Numerous laws have been broken, including resisting arrest, destroying and damaging property, criminal trespass, and more.

Multiple local, state, and federal agencies are providing additional resources and support.

Dozens of protestors continue to occupy Siemens Hall and have barricaded themselves in the building by blocking entrances with furniture, creating safety hazards. 

The campus community and families of students are understandably concerned. Campus officials continue to encourage protestors to cooperate and remain open to dialogue around a peaceful resolution to the situation. 

Significant world events and crises often hit close to home for members of our campus and local communities. The University supports free speech through open dialogue that is respectful and constructive, but will not tolerate endangering people, destroying property, and disrupting campus. 

As a community, we are committed to keeping our students, staff, and faculty safe and fostering a learning and working environment where the campus community can feel safe, included, and respected. 

Check humboldt.edu/emergency for updates. Details on the campus closure are below.

Remote Work, Instruction, and Campus Operations

The campus remains closed through Wednesday, April 24 for the safety of the campus community. Buildings are locked down and key cards won’t work. 

Academics

• Classes: In-person classes and activities are transitioning to remote where possible through Wed., April 24. Instructors are posting course updates online. 
• Off-campus academic activities: Buses will not be transporting students to field trips, but any activities such as academic internships or field placements that can be conducted safely off campus can continue.

Employees

• Remote Work: Those who are able to work remotely will continue to do so. Contact your supervisor for alternative work options. Your supervisor will contact you if you need to report to campus for work. 

Campus Services: Limited services will be available to all students. 

• Housing and dining: Students living on campus are safe and the residence halls are operating normally. The J Dining Hall will be open until 9 p.m. and will continue normal hours of operation. The College Creek Marketplace will open at 4 p.m. today until 9 p.m. tonight. The Cupboard is open normal hours, 5 p.m. to midnight. Dining hours of operation
   
• Health and counseling services: Timely Care is currently available to students and Student Health & Wellbeing Services will reopen for in-person medical and counseling appointments starting Wednesday morning for regular operating hours. Student Health & Wellbeing Services appointment info and hours of operation

Events

• The University is working to relocate athletics events and activities. Coaches will share information with athletes. 
• All other on-campus events have been canceled through Wed., April 24. 
• The University is moving forward with Commencement ceremonies and activities for our students next month.

The following was shared with news media

Protestors continue to occupy Siemens Hall, an academic and administrative building on the campus of Cal Poly Humboldt.

Three protesters were arrested overnight stemming from the occupation and confrontation with law enforcement both inside and outside the building. 

Dozens of protestors remain inside Siemens Hall. Through the evening, they barricaded every entrance to the building with furniture, creating a hazardous situation for protestors inside. 

An unknown number of students have occupied another building in the area.

The University is concerned about the safety of the students who remain in the building, and has been asking the students to remain open to dialogue around a peaceful resolution. 

The University supports free speech through open dialogue that is respectful and constructive. There are many avenues and options to express views that don't involve disrupting operations and vandalizing campus, which interferes with the campus community's rights to a safe and peaceful environment. 

University police continue to closely monitor an evolving situation. The University has had strategic meetings with law enforcement and fire officials about the health and safety of those barricading themselves inside the building.

The campus community is advised to avoid the area of the building.

On Monday night, the University announced that the campus will be closed through Wednesday, April 24 for the safety of the campus community. Buildings are locked down and limited campus services, such as Dining, are available.

At 4:50 p.m., University Police received reports of dozens of protesters occupying the first and second floors of Siemens Hall.

Classes in Siemens Hall were canceled. Students and faculty of five courses that were in progress and employees inside were evacuated. The building was shut down after protesters began disrupting classes and University operations, and vandalizing University property.

They blocked entrances and elevators with tents and at one point shut doors using chains and zip ties at various locations, violating fire codes and creating extreme safety hazards for those inside. Protestors were given multiple warnings and opportunities to exit the building voluntarily.

Those who are able to work remotely have been directed to continue to do so. In-person classes and activities are transitioning to remote where possible. Instructors are posting course updates online. 

Campus Closed, Remote Instruction and Work

The campus will continue to be closed through Wednesday, April 24 for the safety of the campus community as protestors continue occupying Siemens Hall. Buildings are locked down and key cards will not work. 

Those who are able to work remotely will continue to do so. Contact your supervisor for alternative work options. Your supervisor will contact you if you need to report to campus for work.

In-person classes and activities are transitioning to remote where possible. Instructors should post course updates on Canvas. 

Please check humboldt.edu/emergency for updates.

Campus is closed through Wednesday, April 24 for the safety of the campus community as protestors continue occupying Siemens Hall. 

The campus community is advised to avoid the area of the building, as it is a dangerous and volatile situation.

The University is deeply concerned about the safety of the protestors who have barricaded themselves inside the building. The University is urgently asking that the protestors listen to directives from law enforcement that have responded and to peacefully leave the building.

In-person classes and activities are transitioning to remote where possible. Check in with your instructor or supervisor for next steps.

Please check humboldt.edu/emergency for updates.