Students for a Democratic Society holds a sit in about TPM policy and Palestine

Correction and Updates 3/18/25 at 10:12 p.m.

Students and community members sat side by side on the steps of the Cal Poly Humboldt Library at noon on March 13. The event was hosted by the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS) to discuss supporting Palestine and the gathering restrictions caused by the Time, Place, and Manner (TPM) policy announced in August 2024. 

About 40 participants peacefully read and distributed literature about the TPM policy and a zine titled “Anti-Palestinian Racism: Combating Discrimination & Building Equity.” They also chalked and made various posters and signs. 

During the educational sit-in, Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Success, Chrissy Holliday, approached the group to inform them they were in violation of TPM policy as the library steps were not listed as a ‘public space’ designated for gatherings. 

“Our public spaces on campus are the art quad and the university quad, so in those spaces you’re allowed to show up and protest,” Holliday said in response to participants questioning why they were being asked to move. 

This part of the TPM policy is detailed in section VI: Designated Public Forums. It states, “The University Center Quad (UC Quad) area adjacent to the University Center/Student Union and the Balabanis-Art Quad (Art Quad) outside of the Van Duzer Theater are Designated Public Forums in which members of the University community and non-University community may exercise their free speech rights without special restriction.”

When El Leñador approached Holliday for an interview, she declined to comment at the time and suggested reaching out to Marketing and Communications.

Sit-in participants did not want to move to another space and voiced their opinions about the TPM policy and how it affects their right to free speech on campus. One of the organizers named Neil has been a member of the SDS for two months and explained a main goal of the sit-in was to educate people about the TPM policies.

“We’re trying to start a discussion and spread awareness about the Time, Place and Manner policies and how they affect students on campus and also talk about anti-Palestinian racism,” Neil said. 

Another participant, Lily, expressed their frustration with the university’s attitude towards student protest.

“I’m out here today because historically, from this university, I have felt there has been a repression of student voices,” Lily said. 

Lily shared that they were present during last year’s Palestine protests when riot police came to campus and made arrests. 

“I am happy that people are continuing to use their voice because as much as the administration thinks they have cracked down and scared us, they haven’t,” Lily said. “We are here, we are ready to speak, and ready to stand up for what we believe in.” 

While there were many students present, some participants were community members. A CPH Alum and local teacher named Alice also participated in sign-holding because she also disagrees with the TPM policy. 

“My personal goal is to make sure students have their rights and are safe,” Alice said. 

Holliday stayed at the event while standing in front of the library as participants began to leave around 2 p.m., within the timeline planned by the SDS event organizers.

New comment from Cal Poly Humboldt News and Information Office received 3/18/25 at 1:08 p.m.:
“The University unequivocally supports everyone’s right to assemble and freely express their viewpoints. The CSU’s interim Time, Place, and Manner policy was created to protect those rights.

Under the TPM, any planned campus activity needs to be held in a public area or a limited public area, which can be reserved ahead of time. However, the location of last Thursday’s event was originally planned for outside the Library on the front steps, which is not a reservable space and creates access and safety issues, as it is adjacent to a fire lane and has not been designated as a public area for quite some time.  

To support the event while ensuring TPM guidelines were followed, Vice President Holliday and other administrators collaborated with the event organizer over the course of the week to have the sit-in moved from the Library steps to the Author’s Hall inside the Library.

Some participants who weren’t aware of the change showed up outside the Library. They were informed several times by Vice President Holliday and others that the event location had moved and the reasons why, but they chose not to leave, moving forward with an activity in a non-public space. University staff also stayed to make sure those individuals weren’t blocking the exits. “

Correction: The sources in the story only provided first names. Student journalists did not approach Holliday for comment, a staff member (position and name unknown) directed them to reach out to marcom.