Evergreen Gaza Solidarity

Governance Charges

Civilian Oversight of Police Services Disappearing Task Force Charge

Background, charge, membership, and timeline

Background

Police agencies (and contracted agencies who supplement security service needs) should be accountable to civilian (i.e., non-police) authorities and ultimately accountable to the people that police agencies serve. An effective system of civilian oversight provides for accountability, protects civil rights, and ultimately can help build community trust in its police agency. Without an effective system of civilian oversight, a police agency loses democratic legitimacy.

Evergreen long ago decided that it was useful to have a campus police department directly accountable to the college. You are asked to make recommendations for a system of civilian oversight that meets the college’s needs. It is time to do this work for two reasons.

First, the Police Services Community Review Board (PSCRB) that was established when the Police Department was created has not met since 2018. That board had a dual mission: to improve relationships between campus police and the community and to provide a system for receiving and considering complaints. When the board last met, I remember a lot of discussion about the tension between these two missions.

Second, as part of the agreement between the college and the Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment, the Civilian Oversight of Police Services is charged. The agreement calls for the task force to propose a new Police Services Community Review Board structure.

Charge

At the task force’s first meeting, please develop a work plan that includes these elements at a minimum:

1. Research

  • Research civilian oversight models used by other universities and municipalities.
  • Consider best practices and potential pitfalls revealed by the experience of other universities and municipalities
  • Review Evergreen’s current policies, practices, and history of campus policing and civilian oversight.
  • Review the history of the Police Services Community Review Board and determine if that group needs to be reconstituted (and revised), or if a new structure and system needs to be created.

2. Consultation and engagement

  • Seek input from campus stakeholders, including students (both living on-campus and offcampus), faculty, and staff, including staff in the police department.
  • Provide quarterly progress reports to Geoduck Student Union, the Faculty Agenda Committee, and the Executive Leadership Team.

3. Recommendations

  • Based on your findings, recommend goals, roles, and responsibilities for a proposed civilian oversight body.
  • Make recommendations for the structure of the oversight system, including composition of the oversight body, member selection process, and terms of service.

Your recommendations should include specific consideration of key questions, including:

  • How do we create a system of civilian oversight that respects current collective bargaining agreements that govern personnel investigations and discipline?
  • How does a civilian oversight body balance transparency with confidentiality where
    complaints may involve sensitive and private information?
  • When investigations are necessary under a system of civilian oversight, who conducts the investigation? What training and resources are needed to ensure a fair and complete investigation?
  • What budget or other resources are necessary to implement your recommendations, keeping in mind that resources are limited?
  • What type of public process might be established to precede any potential rescinding or changing of implemented recommendations?

Membership

Under the agreement, the disappearing task force will include up to three students appointed by the Geoduck Student Union, two faculty members appointed by the Faculty Agenda Committee, and additional staff appointed by the President. The President will designate a chair or co-chairs of the task force and be responsible for assigning administrative support to the task force.

Timeline

Please deliver recommendations to the President by the end of Winter quarter 2025. The President will respond to accept, modify, or reject recommendations. A new civilian oversight system will be implemented to begin no later than Fall 2025 with full implementation no later than Fall 2026.

Modifications to this charge

As the task force progresses, please address any requests for modification to the scope, membership, or timeline of the task force to the President. 

Investment Policy Disappearing Task Force Charge

Meeting notes, community input and background

Disappearing Task Force Quarterly Reports

Disappearing Task Force Meeting Notes

Community Input

The disappearing task force on investment policy is interested in community input. Thank you in advance for any perspectives you provide.

Community Input: Investment Policy (MS Forms)

Background

As part of the agreement between the college and the Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment, the Investment Policy Disappearing Task Force is charged. The agreement calls for the task force to propose:

…revisions to investment policies, including new proposed language on socially responsible investments/divestments.  The task force will develop a definition of socially responsible investing.  The DTF will address divestment from companies that profit from gross human rights violations and/or the occupation of Palestinian territories.

Scope

The scope of this charge includes recommendations to both the college and The Evergreen State College Foundation.  Relevant current policies include the College Investment Policy the College Endowment Investment and Spending Policy and the Foundation Investment and Spending Policy.

Work Plan

The first meeting for the Task Force will be scheduled to occur before the end of Spring Quarter.  At that meeting, the Task Force will develop a preliminary schedule.  If meetings are scheduled over the summer, the President’s Office will provide budgetary support for faculty participation.

I am asking the task force to develop a work plan that includes:

  1. Research
    1. Identify readings and other educational resources needed to become familiar with institutional investing and socially responsible investing.
    2. Gather information from college staff on current college and foundation investments and investment policies.
    3. Examine investment policies from other institutions.
  2. Modeling
    1. To the extent possible, estimate the impact of proposed changes in investment policies on investment returns and scholarship budgets.
  3. Consultation
    1. Before finalizing recommendations, seek input from members of the Evergreen community.
    2. Provide quarterly progress reports to the Geoduck Student Union, the Faculty Agenda Committee, and the Executive Leadership Team.
  4. Recommendations
    1. Deliver recommendations to the President by the end of Fall Quarter 2024. The President will respond in Winter Quarter 2025. The President’s response will include a clear statement of the process for final decisions that would allow for implementation to begin in Spring 2025 and be completed by Spring 2026.

Membership 

Under the agreement, the disappearing task force will include three students appointed by the Geoduck Student Union, two faculty appointed by the Faculty Agenda Committee, and additional staff appointed by the President. The President will designate a chair or co-chairs of the task force.

Support

Designated staff will provide administrative support for the task force’s work, including scheduling and notetaking as needed.  Requests for additional budgetary support should be referred to the Office of the President.

Grant Acceptance Policy Disappearing Task Force Charge

Scope, work plan, membership and support

Disappearing Task Force Quarterly Reports

Community Feedback

We welcome community feedback on the grant acceptance policy draft via survey and discussion groups. Sign-up for the discussion groups and take the survey below:

Background

As part of the agreement between the college and the Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment, the Grant Acceptance Policy Disappearing Task Force is charged.   The agreement calls for the task force to recommend:

…a policy that would provide criteria for accepting or refusing grant funding based on the purposes of the grant.  Criteria would include such considerations as whether grants facilitate illegal occupations abroad, limit free speech, or support oppression of minorities.

Relevant current policies include the College Fundraising Policy.  

Scope

Please propose criteria for accepting or refusing grant funding based on the purposes of the grant.  These criteria, when they are finalized and approved, will be included in a separate, new policy that replaces the portion of the current policy that speaks specifically to grants.

Work Plan

The task force should develop a work plan that includes:

  1. Research
    1. Identify readings and other educational resources needed to become familiar with ethical philanthropy and academic freedom.  
    2. Gather information from college staff on current college policies and practices.  
    3. Examine relevant policies from other institutions.
  2. Consultation
    1. Seek input from members of the Evergreen community before finalizing recommendations.
    2. Provide quarterly progress reports to the Geoduck Student Union, the Faculty Agenda Committee, and the Executive Leadership Team.
  3. Recommendations
    1. Identify and address how policy proposals would (or would not) affect the academic freedom of members of the Evergreen community, and the principle of shared governance.
    2. Deliver recommendations to the Faculty, the President, the Faculty Agenda Committee, and the Board of Trustees by the end of Fall Quarter 2024.  The President will circulate the task force’s report to students, faculty, and staff via e-mail and will respond to recommendations in Winter 2025.  The president’s response will include a clear statement of the process for final decisions that would allow for implementation to begin in Spring 2025 and be completed by Spring 2026.

Membership

Under the agreement, the disappearing task force will include three students appointed by the Geoduck Student Union, two faculty appointed by the Faculty Agenda Committee, and additional staff appointed by the President. The President will designate a chair or co-chairs of the task force.

Support

Designated staff will provide administrative support for the task force’s work, including scheduling and notetaking as needed.  Requests for additional budgetary support should be referred to the Office of the President.

Statement from Evergreen President, Dr. John Carmichael
May 8, 2024

Read President Carmichael's Statement

Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment
Memorandum of Understanding
April 30, 2024

 

Memorandum of Understanding Between The Evergreen State College and 
the Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment

The Evergreen State College (“Evergreen”) and Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment hereby enter into this memorandum of understanding and agreement as of April 30, 2024.

Whereas, Evergreen is a public college of the State of Washington.

Whereas, Evergreen has investment policies dated 2013 and has certain investments held by the University of Washington.

Whereas, in the course of its operations, Evergreen applies for and receives grant funding.

Whereas, Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment, has been established to exercise a student’s First Amendment rights to speech and protest and the members of the negotiating team have come here in good faith and looking for a successful resolution.

Now hereby, the parties agree as follows:

Engage in college-wide governance to address the following issues:

The college will charge four committees to begin work in Spring on four policy questions. These committees will publish quarterly reports on their progress. The GSU will appoint up to three students to each committee.  The Faculty Agenda Committee will be asked to appoint two faculty to each committee.  The president will appoint staff membership on the committee, provide for administrative support for the committee, and will designate chairs or co-chairs of each committee. Any policy changes implemented as a result of the work of these task forces will not be rescinded without a similar public process. The four committees are:

  1. Investment Policy Disappearing Task Force, charged with proposing revisions to investment policies, including new proposed language on socially responsible investments/divestments. The task force will develop a definition for socially responsible investing. The DTF will address divestment from companies that profit from gross human rights violations and/or the occupation of Palestinian territories. Information provided to this task force will provide the fullest transparent view Evergreen has available of investments to support the work of the task force to complete a recommendation. This task force will work with the Foundation and the college to establish the soonest time recommendations can be made and acted upon. The Task Force will convene by the end of Spring quarter 2024. Recommendations are due in Fall quarter 2024, for consideration by the Foundation and the College, with the implementation of the divestment policy to begin during Spring quarter 2025 and completed by Spring 2026.
  2. Grant Acceptance Policy Disappearing Task Force, charged with recommending a policy that would provide criteria for accepting or refusing grant funding based on the purposes of the grant. Criteria would include such considerations as whether grants facilitate illegal occupations abroad, limit free speech, or support oppression of minorities. The recommendations will be shared with the Board of Trustees promptly upon completion and circulated to the Student, Staff and Faculty email DL. This recommendation is due in Fall Quarter 2024, with implementation to begin during Spring quarter 2025 and completed by Spring 2026.
  3. Civilian Oversight of the Police Department Disappearing Task Force, charged with proposing a new Police Services Community Review Board structure.  The new structure may include multiple recommendations, among those recommendations will include updates to the Police Services Standard Operating Procedures to include the role of the Police Services Community Review Board.  The President’s office will support members of the committee who wish to attend the National Association for Civilian Oversight of Law Enforcement’s annual meeting in Tucson, Arizona on October 13-17.  Recommendations are due to Executive Leadership by the end of Winter quarter 2025, with implementation to begin during Fall 2025 and completed by Fall 2026.
  4. Alternative Models of Crisis Response Disappearing Task Force, charged with proposing a new, non-law enforcement model for 24-hour crisis response that provides for medical care, de-escalation and the tools, equipment, and culture that will best serve our community. Recommendations are due to Executive Leadership by the end of Winter quarter 2025, with implementation to begin during Spring 2025 and completed by 2030.

Make a statement:

The college will make a statement defending speech rights of students and others, including those doing Palestinian solidarity work. The FULL statement be reviewed by negotiators and a faculty representative before it is released.

The subject line of the email will be: “Statement from the President regarding the Red Square Encampment and the ongoing humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza.” The following paragraph would be included:

“Like many, I am horrified and grief-stricken by the violence and suffering being inflicted due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. I wish to see an end to the violence and restoration of international law, including respect for the March 25 United Nations resolution. Specifically, the resolution called for a lasting, sustainable ceasefire honored by all parties, immediate and unconditional release of all hostages, expanded humanitarian assistance, and the protection of civilians. Additionally, I mourn the destruction of universities and hospitals, the killing of journalists, and want to see the release of any prisoner being held without due process.”

The statement will include an acknowledgement of the ICJ’s genocide investigation and comments about US weaponry.

Study Abroad and International Education:

Evergreen affirms the value of study abroad and international education for providing opportunities for students to gain firsthand experience in a complex world, for building capacity for cross-cultural understanding and humility, and for learning across significant differences. Evergreen also affirms the principle of academic freedom, and freedom for students to choose where and how to learn.  Evergreen also acknowledges the current restrictions of human rights workers and Palestinians into Gaza. While travel to the region remains at high risk due to the ongoing conflict, Evergreen will not approve study abroad to Israel, Gaza or the West Bank. Evergreen will not approve study abroad programs to regions where our students are denied entry based on their identity as Palestinians or Jews.

Free speech and Free Association:

Evergreen affirms a fundamental principle of freedom of speech and free association. Faculty may associate with professional associations even if their views differ from the college’s. In academic institutions we counter misinformation with informed and open discussion, and critical analysis of the issues. Faculty affiliations do not bind Evergreen to policies that limit free speech.

Discrimination Based on Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics:

The college is required to comply with state and federal law (i.e. the Washington Law Against Discrimination, RCW 49.60, as well as Title VI) which prohibits discrimination based on shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, including Jews and Palestinians. The college is obligated to take prompt and appropriate action to respond to harassment that creates a hostile environment, including Islamophobic and Antisemitic harassment, as part of our compliance with applicable law.

Reconciliation:

The college has made a temporary exception to the campus habitation policy over the last several days, but we will end that exception on Wednesday, May 1 by 5pm, which means the encampment will conclude at that time.  As part of the decampment process, students will remove all material from Red Square, and dispose of trash and recycling as instructed by Facilities staff. Remaining in the encampment after that time will leave students open to sanctions described in Student Rights and Responsibilities. At this time, we have not received reports of violations of policy. If any reports are received, the college will investigate as described in policy.

Download the Memorandum of Understanding Between The Evergreen State College and the Evergreen Gaza Solidarity Encampment

Download Signed Memorandum of Understanding (PDF, 140 KB)