Dear "Tent University Santa Cruz" (TUSC) List Subscribers:

Please accept our apology if you you receive this information muttiple times --it was difficult to distinguish between the various public list-serves.

We write to assure you that the University is committed to free speech. As a community and as an institution of higher education, we support civil debate, open dialogue, and alternative educational experiences.

We want to clarify that university has never objected to the daytime 7 a.m.– 8 p.m. programming (workshops, classes, lectures, and non-amplified music) TUSC has proposed-- as these are the hours the campus is normally open to the public.

We have communicated this to TUSC organizers and have offered to grant policy exceptions to allow for the daytime placement of “easy-up� –type canopy tents, tables and chairs to facilitate these activities at their chosen location at the base of campus. We have offered the Quarry Amphitheater during the noon hour to TUSC for amplified music (bands) throughout the week.

What the university cannot permit, and what is not at all related to “free speech� is the establishment of a campsite on campus where students and the general public have been invited to bring their own tents and live for a week. We urge you not to confuse these issues. The University and the City of Santa Cruz have very clear policies, regulations and laws regarding camping and we will be obliged to enforce them.

Sincerely,

Gail Heit and Jean-Marie Scott
Associate Vice Chancellors
Division of Student Affairs
U.C. Santa Cruz