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The Carlson School has a rich history of preparing and educating the world's current and future business leaders, and an alumni network of more than 50,000 graduates worldwide.

We encourage you to visit campus and explore the school along with the Twin Cities itself.

The Twin Cities is a vibrant metropolitan area that provides a wide range of cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities, and is home to many Fortune 500 companies. Check out these links for adventure around the Twin Cities area:

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At Carlson, our up-to-date facilities and technology and our research priorities reflect our commitment to build an environment that advances critical thinking and the application of new knowledge.

We believe that access to cutting edge technology and resources enables students to function at their highest level and to compete as business leaders in the global marketplace.

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The Carlson School is located on the University of Minnesota's West Bank Campus, at 321 Nineteenth Avenue South. A skyway connects the building to the 19th Avenue parking ramp.

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Visiting campus, fall in love with our campus.

Visiting campus is an important piece to deciding on a college. We offer many visit options for you. Whether you're looking to take your first steps on campus or learn more about us from the comfort of your home, we're here to give you the full campus experience. There are many other ways to connect with us outside of the campus experience and virtual campus experience. Learn more about our Major Exploration Days, Visiting your High School, Virtual Events and more!

Ways to visit:

• In-Person Campus Visits
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IN-PERSON VISIT FAQs

+ what will i see on my in-person campus tour.

During your campus tour you will get a feel for what it is like to be a Golden Eagle student on our campus. We will show you everything from the student hang out areas like the Sargeant Student Center & International Lounge, our many on campus dining options, classrooms & labs, our state of the art Wellness Center , and our on-campus Residence Halls . If there is something more specific you would like to see make sure you request it when you sign up for your visit, or let us know during your tour!

+ What kind of additional requests can I make?

If you have any additional requests for your Campus Experience visit you can include that when you sign up under the “Questions & Comments” section. These can include things like meeting with an athletics’ coach, meeting with the Disability Resource Center , any dietary or mobility restrictions, etc. Please let us know any way that we can make your visit more enjoyable!

+ I have scheduled a in-person campus tour, now what?

Yay! We look forward to your visit with us. You should receive a confirmation email shortly after signing up to the email addresses that you included in your sign up form. You will also receive a reminder email with parking directions 3 days prior to your visit. If you have any questions regarding your visit please feel free to contact the Office of Admissions at (218) 281-8569.

+ How do I get to U of M Crookston?

The U of M Crookston is located at the North West edge of Crookston, MN.

Our address is: 2900 University Avenue Crookston, MN 56716.

You will receive a 3 day reminder email before your event with directions of where to check in and where to park. Also see:

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+ What should I wear on my campus tour?

The tour portion of your Campus Experience will be approximately one hour of walking both indoors and outdoors. Please wear comfortable shoes to walk in and dress for the weather.

+ What if I need to reschedule (or cancel) my visit?

Bummer, but we understand! If you have scheduled or signed up for a Campus Experience or Event please give us a call at the Admissions Office at (218) 281-8569, to let us know you will no longer be able to make it. If you already know a new date that will work better let us know and we will get you signed up for your new time. Otherwise we will send you an email with the link to our sign up calendar so that you can sign up on your own time.

SPECIAL VISIT DAYS

+ major exploration days.

Our Major Exploration Days are a great way to experience campus within your academic area of interest. Take part in a full day of hands-on lab activities with faculty and students in the program.

• Animal Science Exploration Day: TBA
• Careers in Sports Exploration Day:  TBA
• Equine Exploration Day: TBA

Sign-Up To Be Notified Of Future Major Exploration Days

+ Special Events

Special visit days.

Tour n' Grill June 20, 2024 - 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

+ Virtual Classroom Visits with an Admissions Counselor

Have you thought about having your classes meet virtually with one of our Admissions Counselors? We can talk about how to begin the college search process, the college application and financial aid processes, what it means to be a test-optional institution and no longer require the ACT or SAT for admissions and scholarships, how scholarships are awarded, majors and career choices, etc.

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VIRTUAL VISITS FAQs

+ what will my virtual campus experience be like.

Check out the Virtual Campus tour page to do a self-guided tour of campus through our interactive virtual map and watch videos showcasing our campus and our students.

+ Will the information be the same as an on campus visit?

All the information that you can find on the virtual Campus Experience will also be shared with you on an in-person campus tour. But on an in-person visit we will have the chance to dive into more details about all the spaces and opportunities for our students on our campus. If you are not able to make it to campus for a visit, we recommend that you reach out to your admissions counselor with your specific questions.

+ Can I sign up for an on campus visit after my virtual visit?

Yes! We would love to show you around campus and show you all the spaces in real life! Schedule an in-person visit. See you soon!

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A good way to learn about a college campus is to explore the website. An even better way is to experience it in person! Now is the right time to take the next step and visit our campus. At UMR, we offer personalized options for a campus visit.

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Visit us and experience the first of many amazing opportunities.

Make the most of your campus visit, virtually or in person. Whether you see the bluffs up close as you walk around campus, or meet with an admissions counselor on Zoom who makes you feel like you’re already part of the Saint Mary’s family — experiencing the Winona campus will change everything.

At Saint Mary’s, a transformational experience is what it's all about.

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We can’t wait to show you and your family the Winona campus! You’ll experience a campus tour and meet with an admission counselor. Right away, you’ll feel the spirit of Saint Mary’s and our welcoming community. It’s as vibrant as ever. All in-person visits must be scheduled in advance. Register today for an in-person visit.

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Can’t come to campus? We’re here to help. Schedule a personalized virtual visit with an admission counselor. Connect with those who know Saint Mary’s best. Set up a one-on-one call to learn about programs, financial aid, and the next steps to becoming a Cardinal. We would love to call or video chat with you!

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University of Minnesota protesters pack up after reaching agreement with interim president

By Shayla Reaves , Kirsten Mitchell , Aki Nace , Stephen Swanson

Updated on: May 2, 2024 / 5:19 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota

MINNEAPOLIS — Protesters at a pro-Palestinian encampment that has occupied a portion of the University of Minnesota campus since Tuesday packed up following a tentative agreement with university administration Thursday.

Jeff Ettinger, the U's interim president, sent an email to all students, faculty and staff stating an agreement was made with student protest organizers to end the encampment on Thursday morning.

The 13 buildings near Northrop Mall that were closed this week reopened after the encampment was cleared. The coalition has agreed not to disrupt finals and commencement ceremonies. Students started taking down tents around 9 a.m.

The student group had six demands :  

• Divest from groups like Honeywell and General Dynamics
• Academic divestment from Israeli universities
• Transparency about university investments
• Statement in support of Palestinian students
• Statement in support of Palestinians' right to self-determination
• Amnesty for  arrested students

Leaders of the pro-Palestinian coalition  met with Ettinger  on Wednesday, where they made it clear they would not rest until all six of their demands were met. The original meeting, which was scheduled for 30 minutes, stretched into more than 90 minutes, and the groups met an additional two times after that, Ettinger said. 

"We regret that these meetings did not happen sooner, and have committed to regular meetings moving forward to continue to discuss this coalition's concerns," Ettinger said. "While there is more work to do, and conversations are still planned with other student groups affected by the painful situation in Palestine, I am heartened by today's progress."

In a letter sent out to faculty and student body, Ettinger wrote that coalition representatives will be given the opportunity to address the Board of Regents at its May 10 meeting to discuss divestment from certain companies. Public disclosure of university investments would be made available by May 7. 

Ettinger also said that the administration has encouraged university police not to arrest or charge anyone for encampment activities in the past few days, and will not pursue disciplinary action against students or employees for participating with the encampment. Police have not made any arrests on campus since nine people were detained on  April 22.

"Obviously some people are like, 'If we leave and they take it back, then we're going to come back and re-camp,'" protester Angelica Torres said.

He also added that the administration would be meeting with Jewish students on Thursday, who have reported feeling unsafe on campus amid imagery and messages on campus they said glorify terrorism.

In a statement after the agreement, the Jewish Community Relations Council said "the University of Minnesota continues to let our community down."

"The University's capitulation sends a message that students who violate U of M policy, openly celebrate violence, and shut down campus are rewarded with time before the Regents and 'regular meetings moving forward' with the President's office," the JCRC said. "By contrast, students targeted by antisemitism are apparently supposed to suffer silently, while their University appeases those very same activists who demonize Jews and Israelis."

Campus protests nationwide

Wednesday's demonstrations at the U were spirited but much more peaceful than what's been seen in  other parts of the U.S. in recent days .  On Thursday morning, police began dismantling an encampment at the University of California, Los Angeles after hundreds of protesters defied police orders. At Columbia University in New York on Tuesday night , officers used flash bangs to disorient protesters gathered inside Hamilton Hall.  

The nationwide movement started at Columbia on April 17 to protest Israel's offensive in Gaza. Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip since Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, according to a local public health ministry. Hamas militants killed roughly 1,200 people and took about 250 hostages.

President Joe Biden is speaking on Thursday morning on the protests at college campuses before leaving for events in North Carolina. The White House has previously condemned violence and antisemitic rhetoric at some of the protests, while saying that students have the right to protest peacefully.

• University of Minnesota
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Shayla Reaves is an engaging, personable Emmy-award winning journalist with more than a decade of experience in television news.

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The 2024 Morris Challenge Youth Institute  is the result of a partnership between the University of Minnesota Morris and the World Food Prize Foundation offering youth institute to high school students in west central Minnesota. The program  connects high school students from West Central Minnesota with research and industry leaders working in agricultural, food and natural resource-related fields. Students learn how these leaders are making a positive impact - in their communities and beyond – and receive feedback on their research paper presentations. 

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U of M buildings remain closed as anti-war protests continue on campus

Updated: 6:20 p.m.

A dozen buildings on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus remained closed Tuesday as an anti-war protest encampment continued on Northrop Mall.

Although university police had cleared an encampment on campus last week and gave dispersal orders for the current encampment on Monday night, it remained in place overnight into Tuesday.

“It has never been the University’s goal to conduct arrests and UMPD decided the best approach was not to engage further at that time,” university spokesperson Jake Ricker said in a statement Tuesday afternoon.

“The University’s policies and its approach to enforcing those policies has not changed. The University always prioritizes the rights and safety of those on our campus based on all the information available when making decisions,” Ricker said.

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• University of Minnesota: No current student or employee arrested last week is banned from campus

The dispersal order on Monday night prompted protesters to link arms around the grassy area in front of Northrop Memorial Auditorium. Last week, campus police arrested nine people — most of whom are current or former students — for trespassing, saying school policy and state law prevent people from setting up tents on campus without permission.

Later that day, officers from the university, Minneapolis Police Department and Minnesota State Patrol evicted protesters from a second encampment without making arrests.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there were no reports of arrests connected to this week’s encampment.

Protesters are calling on the school to divest from weapons manufacturers and companies tied to the Israeli military. They also want the school to end study abroad programs in Israel.

University officials did offer to meet with the leaders of some of the student groups involved in the protest, and protest organizers posted on social media Tuesday afternoon that a meeting between protest leaders and U of M interim president Jeff Ettinger was scheduled for Wednesday morning; the university did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Merlin Van Alstine, a member of Students for a Democratic Society, told MPR News at the encampment on Monday night that the offer to meet is “a step in the right direction, depending on how they go about it.”

Building closures

University officials closed buildings around the encampment site in Northrop Mall on Monday afternoon as a rally began, continued that closure on Tuesday and announced it would close them again Wednesday.

That includes Coffman Memorial Union, Walter Library, Northrop Memorial Auditorium and the Weisman Art Museum, along with several classroom and laboratory buildings. Away from Northrop Mall, other buildings on the East Campus are accessible only with U Cards.

Monday was the last day of classes at the U. Tuesday and Wednesday are slated as study days and exams are scheduled to start Thursday.

MPR News reporters Regina Medina and Estelle Timar-Wilcox contributed to this report.

• Students address University of Minnesota Board of Regents
• Hamline University staff dismantle protest vigils ahead of graduation ceremonies
• What could divestment from Israel look like at Minnesota universities?

USC protest encampment cleared as other colleges prepare for graduation

Schools continue to grapple with balancing students’ free speech rights and maintaining an amicable atmosphere ahead of graduation ceremonies.

Graduation ceremonies are underway this weekend at universities across the country, including some that have been roiled by pro-Palestinian protests and police clashes. At the University of Southern California, Los Angeles police pushed some protesters off campus early Sunday and locked a gate afterward, according to student newspaper the Daily Trojan . Police also assisted university public safety officers in clearing a protest encampment, USC said later in the day.

Early Sunday, at least 50 Los Angeles police officers moved through the USC campus and surrounded Alumni Park, where they issued a dispersal order to a pro-Palestinian encampment, the Daily Trojan reported . The university’s senior vice president of communications, Joel Curran, said later in the day that it was 75 to 100 Los Angeles Police Department and university officers, with the university ones issuing the dispersal order. Some protesters left the area, while a university alert warned students that anyone not leaving “could be arrested.”

At a nearby campus gate, some police pushed a group of protesters off campus and locked the gate, the Daily Trojan reported. The university said its officers were also involved. Officers also disassembled tents and largely cleared the encampment. The LAPD said it was there “to support” university officers, and that no arrests were made.

About 6:30 a.m. Pacific time, the university said in a message on X that its University Park campus, one of its two main campuses, had been cleared. “The campus remains closed,” it said.

USC President Carol L. Folt said in a statement that the university in recent weeks “exercised patience and restraint as we worked to de-escalate a volatile situation,” but that it was time to “draw a line” after the protest “was spiraling in a dangerous direction over the last several days.”

“Residence halls, campus throughfares, and libraries had become places of confrontation,” she wrote. “Some finals were disrupted with noise and chanting during mandated quiet periods. Yesterday afternoon, outside agitators jumped the perimeter fencing and assaulted our officers.”

Here’s what to know

Graduation ceremonies are being held Sunday at campuses including Ohio State University and Northeastern University in Boston. USC’s commencement week is scheduled to begin Wednesday, though the school has canceled its main speakers. Schools continue to grapple with balancing students’ free speech rights and maintaining an amicable atmosphere as thousands of graduating students and their families celebrate this weekend.

On Saturday, roughly 75 student protesters marched through the University of Michigan’s commencement ceremony held at Michigan Stadium. The group began protesting at the start of the program and walked up the main aisle as they chanted, the university said in a statement. Public safety personnel moved them toward the back of the stadium, where they remained free to protest throughout the program. No arrests were made.

The University of Florida has held commencement ceremonies at two-thirds of its 17 colleges and has not experienced disruptions, university president Ben Sasse , a former Republican senator from Nebraska, told CNN’s “State of the Union” on Sunday. The university is holding three more ceremonies Sunday, he said. Sasse called himself a “First Amendment zealot” who will always defend students’ rights to free speech and assembly. But university rules mean “you don’t get to take over the whole university. People don’t get to spit at cops. You don’t get to barricade yourselves in buildings. You don’t get to disrupt somebody else’s commencement,” he said, adding that camping on campus is also prohibited. Leaders of some other universities “need to step up and mind their own shops more,” Sasse said.

New York Mayor Eric Adams was asked on ABC’s “This Week” on Sunday whether colleges in the city will be able to hold peaceful in-person graduation ceremonies . “I believe they should,” Adams (D) replied. “It’s a wonderful experience to graduate from an institution. If the institutions decide to graduate their students and celebrate a beautiful experience with their families, we’ll make sure it’s done in a peaceful manner.”

More than 2,300 people have been arrested on campuses nationwide over the past two weeks , according to a count kept by The Washington Post.

At the University of Virginia on Saturday, authorities arrested 25 pro-Palestinian demonstrators during a sustained confrontation , university officials said, after dozens of law enforcement officers in riot gear surrounded a student encampment and used pepper spray to disperse people from the area.

Several colleges and universities are negotiating deals with students to try to defuse tensions peacefully and avert further violence. Thus far, Rutgers, Northwestern, Brown, the University of Minnesota and the University of California at Riverside are some of the colleges that have struck deals. Students have been calling for universities to divest from Israel.

Susan Svrgula, Patrick Svitek, Ruby Cramer and Marianna Sotomayor contributed reporting.

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Campus protests over the Gaza war

Top companies are on students' divest list. but does it really work.

A demonstrator protests outside the encampment established in support of Palestinians in Gaza at Columbia University on April 29, 2024. Columbia protesters are demanding their university sell off investments in a number of companies with business ties to Israel. Alex Kent/Getty Images hide caption

A demonstrator protests outside the encampment established in support of Palestinians in Gaza at Columbia University on April 29, 2024. Columbia protesters are demanding their university sell off investments in a number of companies with business ties to Israel.

It's become a common mantra by protesters at universities across the country: "Disclose, divest, we will not stop, we will not rest."

Broadly, the protesters want their universities to sell off their investments in companies that have businesses or investments in Israel because of the country's invasion of Gaza. That's where the term divest comes from.

College antiwar protests grow as students take over buildings on campuses

As student protesters get arrested, they risk being banned from campus too

The calls on campuses vary. Columbia University protesters, for example, have a broad list of divestment targets, demanding the Ivy League college disclose and unload investments in a broad set of companies with ties to Israel, including Google, Amazon and Airbnb .

Other protesters at universities are targeting defense-related companies and weapon manufacturers. Cornell University protesters are calling for divestments from companies including Boeing and Lockheed Martin.

Here's a look at what divestment means.

Why there's a call for divestments

Protests against university investments have a long history.

During the 1970s and 1980s, students at Columbia and other universities successfully pressed administrators to sell off investments in companies doing business with South Africa over the country's apartheid policies.

Since the 2010s, students have successfully called for some universities to divest themselves from companies tied to fossil fuels or to freeze their investments in that sector, including at Syracuse University.

Do divestments actually work?

Not really. Divesting by universities doesn't change corporate behavior, but it can provide a big moral and symbolic victory for protesters.

Most analysts agree that divestments don't usually punish the companies targeted. And some analysts argue divestments actually are worse in the long run. By staying invested, the reasoning goes, universities can have more of a say about a company's operations. Selling off their investments would likely be scooped up by other investors who are less likely to speak up.

For universities, divesting from companies that do business in Israel could also risk blowback from students, faculty or alumni who support Israel.

The University of California, for example, said it was opposed to "calls for boycott against and divestments from Israel."

"While the University affirms the right of our community members to express diverse viewpoints, a boycott of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses" the university said last week.

These are big reasons why almost no university has yet agreed to divest from investments tied to Israel, though a few have been willing to hold talks with protesters.

Protesters are pressing on, however. That's because getting a university to divest from companies with ties to Israel would not only achieve their goals, it would also likely serve as a moral victory by sparking a lot of headlines and debate.

"Divestment itself doesn't really influence the companies or the industries being targeted directly," said Prof. Todd Ely from the School of Public Affairs at the University of Colorado Denver. "It's more the stigma created and drawing attention to the issue more broadly."

A person stands among tents at an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian protesters on the campus of Columbia University on April 25, 2024. Leonardo Munoz/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

A person stands among tents at an encampment set up by pro-Palestinian protesters on the campus of Columbia University on April 25, 2024.

Can universities actually do it?

Yes, but it can be complicated.

Endowments at the nation's top universities have grown into multi-billion dollar chests, with investments in all kind of investment funds, including specialized private funds that prevent people from cashing out for a number of years.

More broadly, endowments have become a vital source of financing for universities. They allow for investments and scholarships while securing the university's financial future.

What a 1968 Columbia University protester makes of today's pro-Palestinian encampment

Some endowment chiefs have even become well known figures in finance, including the late David Swensen who served as Yale's chief investment officer and grew the university's funds massively.

Endowments "are intended to kind of preserve and grow the resources available to colleges and universities. And the number one use of those funds is to support students and student financial aid," says Prof. Ely. "So it's a complex situation where calls to change the way these funds are invested by students and other interested parties do end up kind of in a circular way going back to support the students themselves."

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• boycott, divestment and sanctions
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Arrests roil campuses nationwide ahead of graduation as protesters demand Israel ties be cut

Pro-Palestinian student protesters set up a tent encampment at Columbia university in New York last week. Police first tried to clear the encampment on April 18, when they arrested more than 100 protesters. But the move backfired, inspiring students across the country and motivating protesters at Columbia to regroup.

People listen to a speaker at a pro-Palestinian encampment, advocating for financial disclosure and divestment from all companies tied to Israel and calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, inside the campus of Columbia University, Sunday, April 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

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Police arrest protesters attempting to camp in support of Palestinians on Washington University’s campus in St. Louis, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Christine Tannous/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Pro-Palestinian protesters link arms around campers as police show up to their encampment on Washington University’s campus, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in St. Louis, Mo. Dozens were arrested during the protest. (Christine Tannous/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Northeastern University police remove and arrest protesters one by one as they sit in zip tie handcuffs at the tent encampment on campus in Boston, Saturday, April 27, 2024. Dozens of NU students and other protesters who set up tents with them on the NU campus were arrested by state, Boston and NU police. (John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via AP)

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, left, links arms with others, including Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, second from right, and Aldermanic President Megan Green, right, while surrounding pro-Palestinian protesters as police show up to their encampment on the campus of Washington University, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in St. Louis, Mo. Dozens were arrested during the protest. (Christine Tannous/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

A woman wearing a keffiyeh walks by a pro-Palestinian encampment, advocating for financial disclosure and divestment from all companies tied to Israel and calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, inside Columbia University Campus on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A Palestinian flag is reflected in a demonstrator’s mask as students protest the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University in Washington, Sunday, April 28, 2024. Protests and encampments have sprung up on college and university campuses across the country to protest the war. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

A Palestinian flag flutters in the wind during a pro-Palestinian encampment, advocating for financial disclosure and divestment from all companies tied to Israel and calling for a permanent cease-fire in Gaza, inside Columbia University Campus on Sunday, April 28, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Andres Kudacki)

A George Washington University student, who declined to give her name, works on a school assignment while joining other students in protesting the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University in Washington, Saturday, April 27, 2024. Protests and encampments have sprung up on college and university campuses across the country to protest the war. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

Protesters in support of Palestinians link arms as police prepare to arrest them on Washington University’s campus in St. Louis, Saturday, April 27, 2024. (Christine Tannous/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

FILE - A sign that reads, “Gaza Solidarity Encampment,” is seen during the pro-Palestinian protest at the Columbia University campus in New York, Monday April 22, 2024. (AP Photo/Stefan Jeremiah, File)

A Pro-Palestinian demonstration encampment is seen at the Columbia University, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Police arrest pro-Palestinian protesters attempting to camp on Washington University’s campus, Saturday, April 27, 2024, in St. Louis, Mo. (Christine Tannous/St. Louis Post-Dispatch via AP)

Pro-Palestinian protesters camp out in tents at Columbia University on Saturday, April 27, 2024 in New York.(AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Protests are roiling college campuses nationwide as schools with graduation ceremonies next month face demands they cut financial ties to Israel because of the Israel-Hamas war.

Many campuses were largely quiet over the weekend but protesters on both sides of the issue shouted and shoved each other during dueling demonstrations Sunday at the University of California, Los Angeles. About 275 people were arrested on Saturday at various campuses including Indiana University at Bloomington, Arizona State University and Washington University in St. Louis. The number of arrests nationwide approached 900 since New York police removed a pro-Palestinian protest encampment at Columbia University and arrested more than 100 demonstrators on April 18.

Since then, students have dug in at dozens of pro-Palestinian encampments around the country, prompting a range of responses from administrators: arrests and criminal charges, student suspensions or simply continued pleas to leave. The plight of students has become a central part of protests , with both the students and a growing number of faculty demanding amnesty for protesters. At issue is whether the suspensions and legal records will follow students through their adult lives.

Faculty members at universities in California, Georgia and Texas have initiated or passed largely symbolic votes of no confidence in their leadership.

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said President Joe Biden “knows that there are very strong feelings” but would leave managing the protests to local authorities.

“People should have the ability to air their views and to share their perspectives publicly but it has to be peaceful,” Kirby said on ABC’s ”This Week.”

In an interview that aired Sunday, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell called it “a dangerous situation” and placed the responsibility with college administrators.

“There’s also antisemitism, which is completely unacceptable. I’ve been shocked to see that in this country,” he said on NBC’s “Meet the Press.”

HOW IT STARTED

Early protests at Columbia University in New York City sparked pro-Palestinian demonstrations across the country and students and administrators there have engaged in negotiations, the university said in a statement Saturday night.

Columbia has set a series of deadlines for protesters to leave the encampment — which they have missed — but bringing back police “at this time” would be counterproductive, the school wrote in an email to students.

On Sunday, students walked among dozens of colorful tents that continue to stand.

At the University of California, Los Angeles, police set up barricades before hundreds of demonstrators on both sides joined a growing crowd Sunday near where pro-Palestinian students have been staying around-the-clock in tents. Counter-protesters who organized a “Stand in Support of Jewish Students” rally said their goal was to “stand up against hatred and antisemitism.”

Across town, the University of Southern California said it was open Sunday after being shut down a day earlier because of what the university called vandalism and disruptions.

A Palestinian flag is reflected in a demonstrator’s mask as students protest the Israel-Hamas war at George Washington University in Washington, Sunday, April 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Cliff Owen)

USC drew criticism after refusing to allow the valedictorian, who has publicly supported the Palestinian cause, to make a commencement speech. Administrators then scrapped the keynote speech by filmmaker Jon M. Chu. Last week the school announced the cancelation of its main graduation event , a day after more than 90 protesters were arrested by police in riot gear.

In the northern part of the state, officials on Saturday ordered an “enforced hard closure” of California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt. Two halls remained occupied by pro-Palestinian demonstrators. The school said Sunday that the cost of the occupation — including damage done by “theft, vandalism and graffiti” — was estimated to be in the millions.

Washington University in St. Louis locked some campus buildings and arrested protesters Saturday. Photos showed uniformed police attempting to remove masked protesters as others, also wearing masks, linked arms to thwart the efforts.

In a statement, the university said more than 100 people — including 23 students and four university employees — were arrested on suspicion of trespassing. Megan Green, president of the St. Louis Board of Aldermen, said in a social media post that she was present and the protest remained calm “until the police came in like an ambush.”

Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein said in a social media post that she and two of her campaign managers were among those arrested.

The university’s statement defended the action and said protesters “did not have good intentions on our campus and that this demonstration had the potential to get out of control and become dangerous.”

Some arrested also face charges of resisting arrest and assault, including for injuries to three police officers, the statement said. Those injuries include a severe concussion, a broken finger and a groin injury.

The Missouri chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the arrests as “heavy-handed.”

MASSACHUSETTS

In Boston, police in riot gear cleared an encampment on the campus of Northeastern University on Saturday.

Massachusetts State Police said about 102 protesters were arrested and will be charged with trespassing and disorderly conduct.

Northeastern said in a statement that the demonstration, which began two days ago, had become “infiltrated by professional organizers” with no affiliation to the university and antisemitic slurs, including “kill the Jews,” had been used.

The Huskies for a Free Palestine student group disputed the university’s account, saying in a statement that counterprotesters were to blame for the slurs and no student protesters “repeated the disgusting hate speech.”

Students at the Boston protest said a counterprotester attempted to instigate hate speech but insisted their event was peaceful.

US CAMPUSES AND THE ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

The nationwide campus protests began in response to Israel’s offensive in Gaza. Hamas launched a deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, when militants killed about 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and took roughly 250 hostages. Vowing to stamp out Hamas, Israel launched an offensive in Gaza. In the ensuing war, Israel has killed more than 34,000 Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, according to the local health ministry.

Israel and its supporters have branded the university protests as antisemitic, while critics of Israel say it uses such allegations to silence opponents. Although some protesters have been caught on camera making antisemitic remarks or violent threats, organizers of the protests, some of whom are Jewish, say it is a peaceful movement aimed at defending Palestinian rights and protesting the war.

Beck reported from Omaha, Neb. and Thompson from Buffalo, N.Y. Associated Press journalists in various locations contributed, including Christopher Weber, Jacques Billeaud, Aaron Morrison, Stefanie Dazio, Kathy McCormack, Jim Vertuno, Acacia Coronado, Sudhin Thanawala, Jeff Amy, Jeff Martin, Mike Stewart, Collin Binkley, Jake Offenhartz, Jesse Bedayn and Sophia Tareen.