But the college president acknowledged that local officials and police are still urging the university to “de-escalate” tensions
His statement comes as the encampment enters day 12 and as finals are about to begin at the Ivy League institution. Around the country, some colleges have called in police to disband encampments, while others,had canceled its main commencement ceremony as pro-Palestinian protests there continue. Penn has not commented on its plans for commencement, scheduled for May 20.
He wrote that the university has been trying, but is concerned about reports that there are documents circulating with instructions to escalate a protest “through building occupations and violence.” The two sides have remained at a stalemate, with the university insisting the encampment come down and protesters saying they won’t negotiate until the university removes the threat of disciplinary action and the dismantling of the encampment.