Guidelines Clarifying Conduct for Protests and Demonstrations

Dear Cooper Union,

Over the past several weeks, I have been working with our deans and department heads to develop a set of Guidelines for Protests and Demonstrations. We support the rights of our community members to raise awareness about important social causes and to take action to influence change. The guidelines contextualize existing institutional policies to help community members engage in these activities without infringing on the rights of others to be free from discrimination and harassment. We each have a responsibility to understand how to balance our right to free expression with our community expectation that all are welcome and respected at Cooper Union.

Our goal is for these guidelines to help us express our views on contentious topics constructively. As previously noted, we will also hold workshops and discussions during the academic year that will further this objective. Together, we aim to foster discussions that are objective, thoughtful, understanding, and compassionate. We should remain mindful of how our actions and words may be perceived by those who disagree and strive to build connections rather than create divisions.

Malcolm King

  • Founded by inventor, industrialist and philanthropist Peter Cooper in 1859, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art offers education in art, architecture and engineering, as well as courses in the humanities and social sciences.

  • “My feelings, my desires, my hopes, embrace humanity throughout the world,” Peter Cooper proclaimed in a speech in 1853. He looked forward to a time when, “knowledge shall cover the earth as waters cover the great deep.”

  • From its beginnings, Cooper Union was a unique institution, dedicated to founder Peter Cooper's proposition that education is the key not only to personal prosperity but to civic virtue and harmony.

  • Peter Cooper wanted his graduates to acquire the technical mastery and entrepreneurial skills, enrich their intellects and spark their creativity, and develop a sense of social justice that would translate into action.