Negotiations between University of Chicago, protesters break down

A sign hangs at a protest encampment on the University of Chicago campus on May 04, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images)

The University of Chicago says it has suspended discussions with anti-Israel protesters on campus because their requests “were inconsistent with the University’s principles.”

The school also flagged misinformation being spread on social media, namely, that it was establishing a “Gaza Scholars at Risk Initiative.” The school said the “Scholars at Risk” program was an existing initiative at the University of Chicago and other leading universities and colleges.

“The program is open to scholars throughout the world. All scholars impacted by this conflict are being encouraged to participate,” the university said in a statement. “In addition, [University of Chicago Police Department] presence on the Quad has fluctuated based on needs and circumstances and at no point did we reduce – or agree to reduce – the security presence based on negotiations.”