Update: Safety, Equity, and Free Speech at Evergreen | The Evergreen State College

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Update: Safety, Equity, and Free Speech at Evergreen

Recent discussions, disruptions, and events around issues of equity and free speech have generated inquiries from the Evergreen community, media, and the public. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions.

Public safety on campus

Safety for all is a top priority.  Evergreen Police Services are present and are on duty 24 hours a day, with support as needed from local law enforcement partners nearby, ensuring the safety of all students, faculty, and staff.

Faculty member Bret Weinstein

Bret Weinstein remains a member of Evergreen’s faculty.  Weinstein’s right to speak out has never been threatened and his position at the college is not in jeopardy. The college does not and will not terminate the employment of any faculty member in response to a request.  We will continue to support freedom of speech for all members of the Evergreen community. 

Demonstrations on May 23 and 24

Student demonstrations occurred on Tuesday, May 23 and Wednesday, May 24. Both demonstrations were nonviolent and took place during business hours. There was no reported property damage or injuries and classes were not canceled or postponed. Officers from the Thurston County Sheriff’s office briefly visited campus on Tuesday morning in support of Evergreen Police Services. No citations were issued by police and the college has issued no disciplinary actions against student demonstrators.

Everyone is welcome on campus

White students, faculty or staff have NEVER been asked to leave campus. Since the 1970s, some members of the Evergreen community have annually participated in two optional activities, Day of Absence and Day of Presence. Designed to address current issues surrounding race at Evergreen and beyond, these activities are inspired by the 1965 play “Day of Absence” by African-American playwright Douglas Turner Ward.

This event is planned and executed by a committee of students, faculty, and staff, with coordination and support provided by our multicultural advising staff. Beyond Day of Absence and Day of Presence, this group of staff contributes to teaching and learning for all students throughout the academic year. 

This year, some participants attended an off-campus workshop focused on anti-bias training from a majority culture or white perspective. Others attended an on-campus educational and social program designed to address issues from the perspective of people of color. On Day of Presence, all of the participants reunited on campus to share ideas and reflections about the exercise.

The Day of Absence began in the 1970s when faculty and administrators came up with the idea of spending a work day away from campus to engage in communal education. In the decades following, Day of Absence became an opportunity for all students, faculty, and staff at Evergreen to explore and celebrate the richness of our diversity by facilitating conversations about issues of difference. In 1992, Day of Presence was added in order to reunite the college community and honor diversity and unity as a whole campus.

Participation in Day of Absence and Day of Presence always has been, and always will be, entirely optional to students, staff, and faculty members. Every year there are people of color and white people who choose not to participate. White students have never been required to leave campus, for Day of Absence, or any Evergreen activity.

Please contact us if you want to learn more: