Statements

The university is aware of the professor’s remarks and is respectful of the First Amendment privileges associated with academic freedom and free speech. In this instance, regarding a topic that is emotionally charged and extremely sensitive, we believe the Australian media source and subsequent online comments misquote the professor and take his comments out of context.

The contact information of enrolled students (including their cell phone numbers) is a matter of public record.  This is not ASU policy but a matter of applicable law. 

Arizona State University will add a tuition surcharge for on-campus students in spring 2025 and the Arizona Teachers Academy faces an uncertain future, the result of recent budget cuts passed by the state Legislature and signed by the governor.

More than 2,600 Arizona resident students also could be impacted by the expected decrease in ASU’s allocation for the Arizona Promise Scholarship Program, and the university will stop operations and close its Lake Havasu center in the summer of 2025.

ASU Police Chief Michael Thompson has been placed on paid administrative leave, per university policy, pending a review of complaints filed related to his actions on April 26-27, 2024. Assistant Chief John Thompson has been named Acting Chief. 

The ASU Office of General Counsel is directing a review of actions surrounding the establishment and removal of an encampment on the Alumni Lawn. Upon completion of the review, ASU will provide an update on its findings. 

Jonathan Yudelman is on leave from Arizona State University pending the outcome of an investigation into a video that began circulating this week, depicting an interaction that took place on the morning of Sunday, May 5.  He was placed on leave on Monday, May 6. As a result, he is not permitted to come to campus, teach classes, or interact with students or employees.  

Organizers of events using ASU facilities must be properly registered with ASU and must meet all university requirements for crowd management, parking, security, and insurance. In addition, the events must be produced in a way which minimizes disruption to academic and other activities on campus.  The event featuring Congresswoman Tlaib was planned and produced by groups not affiliated with ASU and was organized outside of ASU policies and procedures. Accordingly, that event will not take place today on the ASU Tempe campus.

The ASU Police Department is currently investigating the disruption of the ASU Student Government meeting on Tuesday night on the Tempe campus. The incident is being reviewed for possible disorderly conduct and criminal damage charges -- no arrests have been made at this time. Arizona State University provides a community that embraces diversity, tolerance, respect, and inclusion. The university rejects and denounces antisemitism. ASU will not tolerate physical intimidation or violence, and we will take action to ensure the physical safety of students.

On October 7th, we were all horrified and sickened upon learning of the terrorism and brutality of Hamas. In the days since, the massacre in Israel placed a national spotlight on the reactions of college presidents and their campuses.  

*April 23, 2024, Update: 

Two Turning Point USA defendants admitted guilt in an agreement to complete a court-ordered diversion program. ASU’s statement today: 

Arizona State University is pleased with the Turning Point USA defendants’ admission of guilt in court in their respective roles in the harassment and injury inflicted on one of our instructors in October 2023. Harassment or threatening behavior toward ASU employees will not be tolerated.