Portland State University will pause any connection it has to aircraft manufacturer Boeing, after students and faculty expressed concerns about the company and a protest took place Thursday night near the campus.
The school has no investments in Boeing, but does accept philanthropic gifts, university president Ann Cudd said. For months, students and faculty have been demanding that the school sever any ties with the company, due to its weapons manufacturing divisions and its ties to Israel.
A small group gathers in Portland State University’s South Park Blocks, April 26, 2024, in support of Palestinians in Gaza and in protest of Portland State University’s ties with companies that have contracts with Israel. On Thursday, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters set up tents and barricades that were removed by police after several hours. Police warned in a statement Friday morning that anybody occupying a closed park, engaging in violent activity, or destroying property could be arrested.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
This week, PSU students sent a letter to Cudd repeating calls for the break from Boeing due to the war in Gaza.
Pro-Palestinian protesters across the country have similarly urged businesses, governments and universities to cut ties with Boeing due to the war.
Related: PSU President Ann Cudd addresses campus protests and free speech on OPB's "All Things Considered"
In a March press conference, Cudd said Boeing had invested $150,000 in the school to name a classroom and provides around $28,000 a year for scholarships, according to PSU’s Vanguard newspaper. At that time, Cudd said the university had no plans to change its relationship with Boeing.
Cudd said in a statement Friday that the school was shifting its approach to Boeing due to “the passion with which these demands are being repeatedly expressed” by members of the PSU community. But, she said, it’s not a permanent action.
PSU is planning to hold a moderated forum in May that includes students and faculty. Cudd said she will participate in that event.
Portland State student Eli, who did not want to use their real name for fear of retaliation, said Cudd’s letter to the PSU community was filled with platitudes.
”The funding from Boeing has already been received by PSU for the year so putting a pause on it doesn’t actually do anything,” Eli said. “It doesn’t change anything about the way things are being conducted.”
About a dozen Portland State students and supporters were gathered at Portland’s South Park Blocks again Friday afternoon, waving Palestinian flags and posting pro-Palestine signs. They plan to continue their protest throughout the weekend.
The group, which is not affiliated with any student groups or individuals at PSU, has compiled a list of 13 demands for the university. Three of the demands involve cutting ties with Boeing. Other demands call for Portland State to support an immediate cease fire and protect all students.
In an interview with OPB on Friday, Cudd said she did not think demonstrations on campus at this time would require students to attend classes remotely. She added that the university supports free speech for its student and faculty, but would not allow intimidation or threats to take place.
Work crews were instructed to remove garbage cans, signs, and other items that could be used in a protest on Portland State University’s South Park Blocks, April 26, 2024.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
“We understand that our students have strong opinions and strong feelings on this, not just our students, but our entire campus,” Cudd said in an interview. “We want to support people’s expression, but we can’t allow the expression of some to completely intimidate and harass others and so that’s where we draw the line.”
PSU’s president said she has heard concerns from local Jewish organizations that protests against the war in Gaza can be “intimidating.”
“They are concerned about the content of the messages, as well as the kind of conduct that goes along with the way that the messages are expressed,” Cudd said.
Thursday protest
A small group of pro-Palestinian protesters, some of whom were holding anti-Boeing signs, set up tents and barricades on Portland State University’s South Park Blocks on Thursday night.
Similar protests have been happening on campuses across the country.
Portland police said they informed members of the group that the park was closed, and that structures are not allowed there. Police and social media accounts indicate a few dozen people had gathered.
Officers were called in from all three Portland precincts to address the group.
After several hours, police removed the protesters and structures from the area. Police say there were no arrests.
Police warned in a statement Friday morning that anybody occupying a closed park, engaging in violent activity, or destroying property could be arrested.
A police squad vehicle on the campus of Portland State University, in South Park Blocks, April 26, 2024.
Kristyna Wentz-Graff / OPB
In her statement, Cudd addressed concerns about how the school responds to individuals engaged in protests. She said nobody involved in any protest has been sanctioned for the content of their message.
But, she added, the school draws a line between protecting free speech and “activities including discrimination, harassment, intimidation, property damage and assault.”
Demonstrators had planned to hold a protest on the PSU campus Monday, but it was not immediately clear if the university’s pause on relations to Boeing would change those plans.
