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Campus Tours for Prospective First-year Students

The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is holding campus walking tours through Dec. 3.

Registration is required, and each guest will need to complete a ResponsiBLUE screening the morning of the designated tour. Masks are also required as the tour enters university buildings. The tour is mainly outdoors, so dress accordingly.

Additional tours will resume in January 2022 once our student tour guides are back on campus.

Join us for a 75-minute walking tour of our Central Campus neighborhood, led by one of our current U-M student tour guides. Please note that the majority of this tour will take place outside, so we strongly encourage you to check the local weather forecast and dress accordingly.

Choose a date from the calendar to register. Due to strict tour capacities, registration is required and no walk-ins will be accommodated.

Stay home if you are sick: Do not come to campus if you are ill. Instead, please utilize our virtual programming options and campus tour videos .

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Explore the heart of Michigan’s Central Campus: the Diag. This is where the iconic Block M is located, as well as some of the oldest and most beautiful buildings on campus: the Hatcher Graduate Library, the UgLi, Angell Hall, the Chemistry Building, and the Dana Building. And just off the Diag is Ingalls Mall, home of the Burton Memorial Tower and Baird Carillon, Hill Auditorium, Rackham Graduate School, and the Michigan League.

Stops on the tour

Hatcher graduate library.

The Hatcher Graduate Library offers a wealth of resources in traditional as well as digital formats, encompassing more than 8.5 million print volumes and one of the finest digital collections in the world. Hatcher is also home to many of U-M's unique collections, including the Audubon Room, the university's famed papyrology collection, the Asia Library, and the Special Collections Research Center.

Undergraduate Library (UGLI)

The Shapiro Undergraduate Library, or "UgLi," is a prime location to meet for group projects, find a study nook, or cram for exams. The library facility includes the Askwith Media Library, the Design Lab Workshop, Perlstein Editing Room, the Sweetland Center for Writing, and the Knox Adaptive Technology Center, among others. The building also includes study spaces and Bert's Cafe and Study Lounge.

Angell Hall

Designed by renowned architect Albert Kahn, Angell Hall is a blend of Greek and Roman architectural motifs and is one of the most iconic image of the U-M campus. The eight majestic Doric columns and classical entablature recall that of a Greek temple, and the facade is decorated with images from Greek mythology, including Pegasus, centaurs, and owls, as well as four bas reliefs that show personifications of Poetry, Art, History, and Science. On U-M's Diag, the building houses LSA classrooms and offices.

The U-M's first academic building, Mason Hall was constructed in 1841. It's part of the complex of buildings on the Diag that includes Haven, Angell, and Tisch Halls.

The departments of History, Political Science, American Culture, Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS) are located in Haven Hall. It is also the home of Services for Students with Disabilities, as well as libraries for DAAS and American Culture.

School of Kinesiology

In 2020, faculty, students, and staff of the School of Kinesiology came together under one roof, after a transformative renovation of the Kinesiology Building. Classrooms, laboratories, academic and career advising offices, and collaboration spaces are now in one amazing location right in the heart of Central Campus in the renovated building, which was originally constructed in 1915.

Burton Memorial Tower

Designed by Albert Kahn, Burton Memorial Tower is located on Central Campus, on Ingalls Mall. It houses the Baird Carillon, classrooms, and faculty offices for some members of the Department of Musicology.

Mosher-Jordan Hall

Mosher-Jordan Hall, also known as "MoJo," is a first-year, mixed-gender residence hall located in the Hill Neighborhood. Home to about 430 students, MoJo is close to the Central Campus Recreation Building and Nichols Arboretum.

Home to four LSA departments—astronomy, anthropology, statistics, and physics—West Hall was originally built as an Ann Arbor public school. The building, with its distinctive red roof and gateway arch leading to the Diag, is located in the heart of U-M's Central Campus, across from the School of Social Work.

Home of the departments of psychology and mathematics, East Hall sits on the Diag on Central Campus, close to the shopping and restaurants of South University Street.

Central Campus Transit Center

Located at the northern end of the Diag, the renovated Central Campus Transit Center (CCTC) is the embarkation point for buses between U-M's Central, North, and Medical campuses.

Weiser Hall

Located in the heart of Central Campus, Weiser Hall is home to a number of interdisciplinary and internationally focused units within the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, and is a center for active and engaged learning.

Dana Building

Formerly known as the School of Natural Resources & Environment, SEAS (School for Environment and Sustainability) has been housed in the Samuel Trask Dana Building since 1961. Inside the Dana Building, located on the Diag in the heart of Central Campus, environmental principles are taught, upheld, and demonstrated to the community. The building is a state-of-the-art example of green renovation, featuring materials that were recycled or manufactured from renewable resources. It was the first academic building in Michigan to earn LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council.

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Visiting Campus

Welcome to the University of Michigan! This visitor guide provides an overview of the many campus features that make U-M such a special place. The pull-out map in the center of the guide will help you find your way around campus. Enjoy!

Campus Tours

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U-M offers so many ways to get involved! The Center for Campus Involvement (CCI) hosts a variety of programs and activities. You can also search for events at events.umich.edu .

Enjoy the convenience of staying right on campus at The Inn at the Michigan League. To search for local hotels, check out visitannarbor.org .

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Go Blue! 18 Awesome Activities to Enjoy on the University of Michigan Campus

Visiting the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor Michigan is an experience that seamlessly blends academics with vibrant campus life and rich history. From the bustling energy of the Diag to the serene beauty of the Law Quad, every corner of the campus holds a unique story waiting to be discovered.

Whether you’re drawn to the world-class academic programs, the diverse student organizations, or the charming streets of Ann Arbor, there’s something truly special about immersing yourself in the dynamic atmosphere of this renowned institution.

Experience Football Thrills at the Big House

For fans of the Maize and Blue, Michigan Stadium, affectionately known as “The Big House,” is a college football mecca. This iconic venue has a seating capacity of more than 107,000 and has a rich history dating back to 1927.

It is renowned for its electric atmosphere and has been the site of numerous historic games and events. It remains a must-see destination for all sports enthusiasts and visitors to Ann Arbor.

Cool Off & Cheer Loud at Yost Ice Arena

No less historic than Michigan Stadium, Yost Ice Arena embodies college hockey at its finest as the home of Michigan’s hockey team since 1923.

Yost is known for its lively, vibrant atmosphere and has been the site of dozens of historic games. Recent renovations in 2012 have seamlessly blended modern amenities with timeless charm, ensuring an unforgettable experience for all visitors.

Whether you’re a Michigan fan or not, you can participate in the many chants that break out during the game to get into the spirit of things.

Soak in the Atmosphere of Crisler Center

Crisler Center , the home of Michigan’s basketball teams, is renowned for its rich history and tradition. With a seating capacity of over 12,000, Crisler Center offers an electric atmosphere for fans and spectators.

it holds a special place in the hearts of Michigan fans, earning the affectionate nickname “The House that Cazzie Built,” in honor of the legendary Michigan basketball player, Cazzie Russell.

View Sports History at the Towsley Museum

Inside Schembechler Hall on the University of Michigan campus is the one-of-a-kind Towsley Museum dedicated to Michigan’s football program.

NOTE : Towsley Museum is currently closed to the public

Visitors (U of M fans or not) can see retired jerseys of eight Michigan football greats and the Win Wall, which has footballs marking each of Michigan’s wins.

The Michigan sports museum also features interactive displays, including a video touch screen that tells the story of Michigan Stadium. Historic artifacts on display relate stories of Michigan’s All-America honorees and bowl and championship history.

Share True Love’s Kiss Under the West Hill Arch

The University of Michigan is one of several Michigan campuses that have an urban legend about true love’s first kiss. Legend has it that students younger than 21 who kiss under the West Hill Engineering Arch are destined to be married.

Pretend You’re in Hogwarts at the Law Library

Fans of J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series will want to visit the University’s law library while touring campus. With its stained glass windows, gilded chandeliers, and ornate woodwork, it’s reminiscent of the fictional castle of Hogwarts.

Listen to Sweet Sounds at Hill Auditorium

Standing tall on the U of M campus, Hill Auditorium is the largest performance space on campus and holds a reputation as a top-notch concert hall. The auditorium opened in 1913 and possibly every Michigan freshman has heard about how great the acoustics are during orientation.

Hill Auditorium continues to serve as a place to showcase a variety of artists to the delight of local audiences. The acoustics ensure that every note is highlighted and performances are memorable.

Paint the Michigan Rock

The Michigan Rock is an instantly recognizable campus landmark that sits on the corner of Hill Street and Washtenaw Avenue. Its layers of colorful paint are a testament to its longevity and status as a beloved campus spot.

The Rock arrived in Ann Arbor in 1932 as a memorial to honor the 200th birthday of George Washington and was originally painted gray. Starting in 1953 when it was painted to cover MSU graffiti, painting the rock became a campus tradition.

Watch a Movie at the State Theatre

Centrally located in downtown Ann Arbor and known for its distinctive yellow, red, and green marquee, the State Theatre is a historic movie palace that’s still a great place to catch a flick.

Opened in 1942 and designed in an Art Deco style, the theatre sits just a short distance from spots on the U of M campus like Hill Auditorium. It has multiple screens and is a great place to see a movie with friends or loved ones on the weekends.

Contemplate the Wonders of Wave Field

Situated on U of M’s North Campus, this unique earthy sculpture is a simple expression of a water wave. It stands as a memorial to former engineering student Francois-Xavier Bagnoud and was designed by Maya Lin, who famously created the Vietnam Rights Memorial in Washington D.C.

The Wave Field is one of several spots dedicated to public art on campus and it remains a favorite spot to relax and enjoy even a few moments of tranquility.

Spin the “Endover” Cube

The 15-foot-high, 2,400-pound CorTen steel revolving cube known as “Endover” on the U of M campus is an architectural marvel that fascinates students and visitors alike.

The cube rotates on its axis with a simple, gentle push and a campus urban legend says the university’s president gives it a push each morning on the way to work.

Whether you’re looking for a cool photo op or designating a meeting spot on campus, the cube is truly a sight to behold.

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library

The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library is a repository of historical artifacts and documents that offer insight into the life and career of the U of M alum and 38th U.S. President.

The library provides access to an array of archival materials, including papers, exhibits, and personal memorabilia, allowing visitors to delve into the rich history and experiences of the Ford administration.

With a focus on research and education, the library serves as a valuable resource for scholars, students, and individuals interested in gaining a deeper understanding of this significant period in American history.

Pay a Visit to the Matthaei Botanical Gardens and the Arb

Ann Arbor is known as Tree City and U of M’s Matthaei Botanical Gardens and Nichols Arboretum are filled with decorative gardens, scenic trails, and much more. The gardens are mostly educational, but visitors of all ages can enjoy their many great sites.

The gardens include wildflower exhibits, unique natural art pieces, a large, winding stream, and a conservatory in the visitor center. While visitors are likely to see joggers, employees, and other visitors, the gardens usually aren’t crowded, inviting people to enjoy the quiet environment.

The arboretum, known locally as “The Arb” is a sort of living museum; a wonderland of rolling hills and valleys that make it a popular spot to relax under shady trees, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy tranquility. 

Visit the Iconic ‘M’ in the Diag

One of the most iconic parts of U of M’s Central Campus is the Diag . Not only are some of the campus’ oldest buildings located there but the university’s iconic block ‘M’ is also there.

The current block ‘M’ was installed on campus in 1953 and campus lore says those who step on the ‘M’ will fail their first blue book exam.

Local legend also says those who dare buck tradition must run naked from the steps of the Hatcher Graduate Library to the pumas outside the Museum of Natural History before the Burton Memorial Tower completes 12 chimes at midnight (this is met with a fair degree of skepticism because it would involve running a half mile in less than 30 seconds).

Marvel at Incredible Art at the UMMA

The University of Michigan Museum of Art (UMMA) is a renowned cultural institution. With a comprehensive collection spanning over 150 years of history, UMMA houses over 20,000 works of art that represent diverse cultures and eras.

UMMA’s collection includes a wide array of artistic treasures, making it a significant cultural and educational resource for the community. The museum’s commitment to free access and public engagement underscores its mission to foster creativity and learning for all.

Peruse a Giant Collection of Video Games

Video game fans of all ages can visit the Computer and Video Game Archive on the fourth floor of the Shapiro Library. The archive maintains and makes available an impressive collection of games, board games, and video game consoles dating back to the 1970s.

All are welcome at the CVGA and visitors can reserve times at game stations to play classic video games. The CVGA’s reservation page offers specific details on time limits for the stations.

See History Up Close at Kelsey Museum of Archelogy

The Kelsey Museum of Archaeology is a renowned institution dedicated to the study and preservation of artifacts from ancient Mediterranean civilizations.

With a collection of over 105,000 objects, the museum supports research and education in Classical, Egyptian, and Near Eastern archaeology. Its exhibits showcase a diverse range of archaeological materials, including sculptures, pottery, and everyday items, offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the cultures and societies of the past.

Enjoy a Meal at an Iconic Ann Arbor Eatery

While they may not be on campus, iconic Ann Arbor eateries aren’t too far (within a mile) for students, staff, and visitors to enjoy a great meal. 

• Krazy Jim’s Blimpy Burger : Known for its longstanding history and unique ordering system, Krazy Jim’s is a must-try spot in Ann Arbor. It is considered one of Ann Arbor’s oldest and most beloved hamburger joints, offering a distinctive dining experience with award-winning patties and a wide variety of toppings.
• Zingerman’s Deli : This deli is one of the most well-known eateries in Ann Arbor. The mouthwatering, artfully crafted sandwiches like the Reuben are pulled high, and customers can also order artisanal groceries for delicious home meals.
• Fleetwood Diner : Open 24 hours a day, Fleetwood Diner offers a diverse menu featuring breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. The diner is a favorite among residents and locals alike and is celebrated for its unique atmosphere and offerings like “Hippie Hash.”

Plan a Memorable Visit to the University of Michigan Campus

Whether you bleed Maize and Blue or you just love discovering surprises on college campuses, the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor has something to offer everyone.

From the captivating “Endover Cube” and the iconic Block ‘M’ to the exciting atmospheres of on-campus sports venues and renowned eateries, the University of Michigan leaves an indelible mark on all who walk its paths.

James Andersen is an award-winning journalist and editor who was born and raised in Metro Detroit but currently resides on the shores of Lake Huron in Alpena, Michigan. When he’s not knee-deep in research or conducting interviews for stories, he can be found fishing, cheering on Detroit sports teams, and spending time with his wife and two dogs.

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Michigan Alumni Travel Program

The Michigan Alumni Travel Program and Go Next are pleased to offer exceptional travel opportunities available to you, your family, and your friends. Join fellow alumni and experience the camaraderie of exploring the world with like-minded travelers. Each Go Next trip has been thoughtfully selected with you and your alma mater in mind. We take care of the details, so you can relax and enjoy the company of your fellow alumni.

Travel is a member benefit of the Alumni Association of the University of Michigan. To participate in a Michigan Alumni Travel trip, all participants must be members of the Alumni Association.  Membership and sign-up information can be found on the Alumni Association’s website. To view online, click here .

Because of the exceptional value and limited space, we encourage you to make your reservation as soon as possible.

Rachele Neu Senior Travel Program Manager Alumni Association of the University of Michigan 200 Fletcher Street | Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1007 Phone: 734.647.3010 | Toll-free: 855.764.0064

Reservations and Questions

Purchasing travel insurance is highly recommended to protect you, your belongings, and your travel investment. The Alumni Association of the University of Michigan’s Travel Program will send you information regarding travel insurance as soon as your reservation is submitted.

Michigan Alumni Travel Program Group Programs

Experience charm, history, and elegance from London to Copenhagen on this 10-night cruise aboard Oceania Cruises’ Marina .

Immerse yourself in the history and culture of Greece and Italy on this 10-night cruise from Athens to Rome aboard Oceania Cruises’ Vista .

Escape to the great Down Under on this 14-night adventure through Australia and New Zealand aboard Oceania Cruises’ Regatta.

Embark on an extraordinary 10-night cruise along the Panama Canal and the Caribbean Sea, where enchanting tales of the past merge seamlessly with breathtaking coastlines and vibrant local cultures.

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Want to schedule a guided tour just for your tour company, Girl or Boy Scout troop, religious organization, civic group, social club, department, or family? We would love to plan one with you!

Group tours usually last about an hour, but we are happy to be flexible. Please fill out our  Community Group Tour Request Form to let us know when you’d like to come and if you are interested in any particular aspect of the Kelsey’s collection. Common topics for tours include highlights of the Kelsey Museum, ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, ancient Rome, ancient Middle East, or ancient writing.

• To arrange a tour, please call the Education Department at least two weeks in advance. We recommend calling well in advance as our calendar fills up quickly!
• Tours must include a minimum of 10 people. If you have a smaller group size, we recommend joining one of our Public Tours .
• The Kelsey Museum has limited space in each gallery, and we want you to have the best experience possible. Our maximum group size is 45 people.
• For information about tours for schools, please visit our  K–12 page or University Tours  page.

Questions or concerns? Please contact the Education Department .

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Common questions, explore & visit.

One of the most important journeys of your life is the one you’re on right now — your college search.

The best way to find out if the University of Michigan is your ultimate destination is to do your research and then visit our campus in person with your family, when circumstances allow. There is no better way to experience the unique opportunities Michigan offers you than to tour campus and meet the people who make up this dynamic community.

Please explore our viewbook , fall poster (PDF), and Virtual Resources to learn more about what it's like at the University of Michigan. 

Your visit is the perfect time to get a feel for our distinct culture, speak with students and faculty, and learn about our world-class academics.

Experience what it's like to Go Blue! at the University of Michigan by taking our virtual tour. Through photos, descriptions, videos, 360 views, and student voices, you can learn about different schools, colleges, residence halls, buildings and campus landmarks.

Browse our FAQs, check out our student and staff videos and social media channels, and find your Admissions counselor.

Stay in the know with advice from the U-M student community.

Campus Tours

Join us for a student-led tour of the University of Michigan-Dearborn with a current student! 

Your tour guide will provide a tour of our campus, talk to you about their student experience, and answer any questions that you might have about our community.

We currently offer on-campus tours of our Main Campus multiple times per week. We also offer virtual tours once a month.

While masks are no longer required on campus, we do encourage those guests who would feel more comfortable to wear masks while visiting us.

Register for a Main Campus Tour

Register for a virtual campus tour, um-dearborn self guided tour.

If you want to explore campus at your own pace, you can use this self-guided tour to learn more about the University of Michigan-Dearborn as you go!

Self Guided Tour

Group visits (school and community partners).

We are currently able to offer limited on-campus group visits for middle-school and high-school aged students. Please note that we require at least 2 weeks notice in order to ensure appropriate staffing and space reservations. 

Group Visit Request Form

Office of undergraduate admissions.

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Group Tours

Learn about UW-Milwaukee, connect with current students and see campus for yourself during a Group Tour. 

Group Tours are intended for groups who want to tour UWM.  Individuals who want to visit campus can schedule a tour at uwm.edu/visituwm .  

Students on a Group Tour will:  

• Learn more about the admissions process 
• Meet current UWM students 
• See classrooms 
• Experience life on campus

Group Tours at UWM at Waukesha

Request a Group Tours at UWM at Waukesha We welcome high school and other group visits to our campuses at UWM at Waukesha.

Scheduling a Group Tour 

We are excited to welcome you and your students to UWM. We offer tours on weekdays throughout the year to groups of 10 – 60 students.  

We are not always able to accommodate your preferred date so please make your request as far in advance as possible. We will work with you to find a date!

If you have questions, please email us at [email protected] or call the Welcome Center at 414-229-4397. 

Information on visiting UWM

We request at least a 15:1 student-to-chaperone ratio to ensure we the safety of our students and staff.  

Requests for group visits must be made by someone from the school or visiting organization, not a third-party, such as a grant sponsor, travel agency or tour planning organization. We will only coordinate visits directly with the school or organization responsible for the visiting students.

The person scheduling the visit must accompany the group to campus.   

• Your group will receive a 15-minute admissions overview, followed by a 75-minute walking tour of campus. 
• We will work with you to schedule any additional activities aligned with your group’s interests and will send you a final itinerary one week before your scheduled visit. Note that we are not always able to accommodate special requests.  
• Groups should not arrive more than 10 minutes early! Our staff needs time to set up and prepare for your visit.     
• Should your group arrive late, we may have to eliminate a portion of the tour.   
• Visitors are expected to abide by the COVID safety precautions listed below.  

You must provide your own transportation to campus. If traveling by bus, drop students off in front of the UWM Welcome Center at 2100 E Kenwood Boulevard, Milwaukee, WI 53211.  

Call 414-229-4397 upon arrival and a team member will come out to the bus to escort students inside. 

UWM is unable to accommodate bus parking, but there are several local businesses along US 190/ Capitol Drive that allow buses to park. Take Kenwood to Oakland Ave. 

• Take Kenwood to Oakland Ave.
• Turn right on Oakland Ave. 
• Turn left onto WI-190 W/E Capitol Dr. for parking and a variety of shops and restaurants 

If traveling by van or car, the Welcome Center will provide you parking pass(es) for campus parking. 

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A Graffiti Tour of Italia!

This semester I am lucky enough to be studying abroad in Italy, and as much as I miss the bad boys of UMMA, I am having the time of my life! Italy is filled to the brim with art of all different sorts. Some art is displayed in museums or art shops, in beautiful cathedrals, or restaurants, or in airbnbs. Some art sits in the back rooms of small businesses, waiting to be bought, or on the streets where artists paint monuments and sell their goods. More art still adorns the walls of famous museums, or sits in the back of them, waiting for a curator to deem them the perfect fit for the next renowned exhibit.

All of these types of art around Italy have captivated me, but one that has constantly called for my attention is the art that is, shall we say, unsanctioned. Italy is covered in graffiti, in every place you can imagine. From train station walls to the sides of historical ruins, the graffiti game in Italy is next level. And so with that in mind, I am bringing you a graffiti tour of Italy.

The town where my study abroad institution is located is the lovely Sorrento, a small cliffside town across from Naples. Moderately less touristy than the more well-known cities, Sorrento is home to people of all ages and experiences, and the graffiti reflects that.

The first work that struck me is this column, located on my walk to the town square from school. I like this wall because you can see that it is layer upon layer of graffiti, where someone attempted to cover it right back up. Personally, I like to think that this wall is a reflection of generations of artists leaving their mark on the walls.

The wall that features this particular angry(?) face is in an alley I’ve taken to calling Cat Alley because if you look up as you walk through, there are always cats lying on the roofs. This work of graffiti interested me because it incorporates some aspects of the wall to create eyes, but it also seems to be drawn in crayon or pastel.

Another common place in Italian graffiti is handmade stickers that cover lampposts, electrical boxes, and of course just regular walls. This rocket and star are stuck to a little door on a wall near the town square, and honestly, I just thought it was cute.

This woman’s portrait is spray painted on the side of the Sorrento train station. I don’t know what the words next to her say, it appears to be an unrelated tag but the art style of the woman reminds me of the art of Marjane Satrapi, author of Persepolis.

From the train station, it’s about an hour-long ride to Naples, with lots of beautiful views of Mt. Vesuvius, and small Italian towns that line the bay of Naples. Incidentally, Naples is our next stop on this grand graffiti tour. As a largely metropolitan area, Naples is absolutely coated with graffiti, to the point where it distracts from anything else.

The train stations in Naples are more or less museums of graffiti, and writing on the walls. I’m not sure if writing in Sharpie counts as graffiti, but I am pretty sure I am not the authority on the matter. Though half of the writing on the walls of Naples is profanities, it seems the other half is poetry that is well worth sharing.

This train station wall says “e ora dove vai se la notte, si ferma e non hai mai sono” which translates to “now where will you go if the night stops and you never sleep.” This quote is a lyric from the song vibe for being stranded in a train station late at night, which happens more than you would think.

This writing, which is actually in German, provided some storytelling of train goers who once visited Naples, but now have gone on their way to Baden-Württemberg. It translates directly to “Nice here, but they were already in Baden-Württemberg.” I would agree, Naples is nice. I can’t personally speak to Baden-Württemberg.

One of my absolute favorites is located on a bridge above a train station, saying “nei tuoi occhi ho visto girasoli di van gogh – noehy 16/09/23” which translates to “in your eyes I saw van Gogh’s sunflowers – noehy 09/16/23” which is just beautiful. As it turns out, this quote is also lyrics, from a song called Girasoli , which nowadays I listen to quite a lot.

Less on the side of poetry, this wall says “Quando la vita ti inganna, fumati una canna” which directly translates to “When life deceives you, smoke a joint.” This one had me chuckling, especially because of the cotton candy colors of the words. Below it, very faded is “Viva La Zaza,” which needs no translation. Despite marijuana being illegal in Italy, Naples seems to be very 420-friendly.

Below are the beloved lyrics to the song Sure Thing: “If you be the cash, I’ll be the rubberband” which also made me smile. Italians love American pop music, probably more than Americans do. In asking one of my advisors at my school for Italian music recommendations, he admitted to mostly listening to Lady Gaga and Dua Lipa, and couldn’t advise me on the matter.

A favorite work of my friends and mine is this gorgeous illustration by Svaldo Guappo. We don’t know who Svaldo Guappo is, per se, but we’re big fans.

And in a different part of the station lives Silvestro. He and Svaldo live far away from each other, but I like to imagine they’re friends.

However as is often the case with art, not all of the work is lighthearted. Much of the work in this train station contains social commentary and acts of rebellion against a system of oppression. This artwork should really speak for itself, but as a woman who (usually) lives in post roe v. wade America, an artwork that speaks to the ownership of one’s own body spoke to me. Italy boasts a very misogynistic and patriarchal culture, where the harassment of women is more than normal, and this graffiti is a response to that in the form of art.

On a similar note, this wall of posters in Naples is very much a shrine to women and their rights. Despite being behind a car in a slightly sketchy alley, I stood and looked at it for a long time, appreciating the art, commentary, and diversity represented.On the topic of social commentary, let’s pop over to Rome! Rome is my favorite city I’ve visited so far, and I think I’ll forever dream of living there. The graffiti was, naturally, very interesting as well.

This stenciled work reads “l’8 lotto contro il cis-etero patriarcato” translating to “on the 8th I fight against the cis-hetero patriarchy.” In researching this piece, I came across the website that this graffiti is drawn from. It is a group of feminists advocating for women’s rights, and fighting against femicide and violence against women. Here is a link to the website .

This work reads “insieme siamo partite. insieme torneremo insieme. non una di meno.” it translates to “together we left. together we will return. Not one less.” and below it is a symbol representing gender nonconformity. In researching this piece of graffiti, it brought me to a blog with a written manifesto, calling for gender equality, bodily autonomy, and objecting to the presence of carabinieri (a militarized portion of the Italian police force.) Check out their website here . While not referenced on their website (at least, I don’t think, my Italian isn’t great), I suspect that this group is connected to/inspired by the fourth wave Latina feminist movement Ni Una Menos. Also, this wall proclaims “In the face of repression, solidarity!” The combination of the gorgeous arching windows with the message of rebellion below makes this building a true work of art.

And now, some poetry! This particular writing says “Ma in attendere e gioia piu compta – E. Montale” translating to “but in waiting there is greater joy.” I say poetry here because this writing is a quote from Eugenio Montale, an Italian poet and prose writer. On this same wall you can see sheet music, a Charles Dickens quote (“it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…”) as well as “non ragioniam di lor ma guarda passa” which is a line from Dante’s Divine Comedy .

On the same wall, to the right is written “Puoi leggere, leggere, leggere, che è la cosa più bella che si possa fare in gioventù: e piano piano ti sentirai arricchire dentro, sentirai formarsi dentro di te quell’esperienza speciale che è la cultura.” This translates to “ You can read, read, read, which is the most beautiful thing you can do in your youth: and little by little you will feel enriched inside, you will feel that special experience that is culture forming within you.” and if it sounds familiar, that is because it’s the work of Italian poet Pier Paolo Pasolini.

Yet another quote on this same wall is “there is no surer foundation for a beautiful friendship than a mutual taste in literature,” from P.G. Wodehouse.

The final quote on this wall is perhaps the most interesting to me. It is “vojo viziamme co’ogni tuo sguardo me scoppinercore come ‘n petardo” translating to “I want you to spoil me with your every look, my heart will explode like a firecracker.” While the quote is beautiful, I am more interested in the signature here – Ignis ErFoco . You can find Ignis’ writing all over the walls of Rome and other Italian cities. It’s always the same handwriting, marker, and font. Ignis has an Instagram too, he is a roman poet. If this wall of poetry compels you, I recommend you check him out. I’m well on my way to becoming a fan.

Now, you’ll have to forgive my tangent, I’m an English major as well as Arts & Ideas, so this wall was a perfect intersection of my interests. I’m calling it the Poet’s Wall, and I would quite like to go back and see if there’s been any additions. But alas! Back to the graffiti.

This piece of graffiti stopped me in my tracks. The textures, colors, and overall surreality of it are captivating. I looked into the artist (as he tagged his work, his name is Dax Norman and I highly encourage you to check out his Instagram.) and it appears that this image is part of a larger project of creating an endless animation through graffiti he makes. This work is titled The Smoking Hand , and it’s incredibly beautiful. (obligatory message: smoking kills kids). Here is a link to his Tumblr where you can see the animated version.

Alright. It seems as though this blog post has gotten a bit long. I have probably a hundred more photos of interesting graffiti, but these were the highlights. So without further ado, I will leave you with my favorite graffiti in my local train station. This is the bubening. I don’t know what it means, but I know it’s important.

And that’s all for now! Thanks so much for reading.

Ciao! – Elena, from Italy

Images of Graffiti Mentioned in this Blog Post

All photos by Elena Mills

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What to Know About the Turmoil at Colleges Over the Israel-Hamas War

On campus, the debate over free speech and antisemitism has only become more charged.

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By Anemona Hartocollis and Colbi Edmonds

Follow live updates on Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University.

As the Israel-Hamas war has escalated, many universities have been caught in an often vitriolic debate over how to handle pro-Palestinian student protests.

Many Jewish students and alumni have been alarmed, saying that the demonstrations can veer into antisemitism. Supporters of academic freedom and students and faculty critical of Israel’s policy toward Palestinians have responded that the real goal is to suppress their political views.

The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened dozens of investigations into allegations of antisemitism at colleges and K-12 schools, a dramatic increase from previous years. The Republican-led House Committee on Education and the Workforce has also started investigations into a half-dozen schools and has held hearings, one of which helped lead to the resignations of the presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania.

On Wednesday, the committee will hear testimony from the president and board members of another school engulfed in protests: Columbia.

Here’s what to know about how these issues are playing out on campuses.

How the conflict began.

On the weekend of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack in Israel, a student coalition at Harvard, calling itself the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups, issued a public letter holding “the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all the unfolding violence.”

Despite an outcry over the letter from alumni and donors, Harvard’s new president, Claudine Gay, did not initially forcefully condemn the Hamas attack, leading to complaints that the university was letting the students’ letter fill the vacuum and appear to represent the university’s view.

At Penn, the debate over campus antisemitism started before the Hamas attacks, as some high-profile donors and alumni asked the administration to cancel or strongly condemn a Palestinian writers conference, which was being held on campus.

Penn’s president at the time, M. Elizabeth Magill, refused, citing free speech, while acknowledging that some of the speakers had a history of making remarks viewed as antisemitic.

After the Hamas attack, the anger from some Penn alumni grew. Critics faulted the university for not reaching out early to its Jewish students or alumni with an official statement condemning the attack. And the institutional responses fortified the sense of some alumni that the university was not sensitive to what they saw as a rising tide of antisemitism. Many declared they would withhold their donations. Some called for new leadership.

But for others watching the conflict, the campaign was unsettling. Critics, especially among the faculty, accused the alumni of censoring views and inappropriately intervening in academic affairs, where, they said, they had no business.

The war in Gaza divides campuses.

As the Israel-Hamas conflict escalated, so did the campus conflicts.

A t Columbia University , hundreds participated in competing pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations in October that led school administrators to close the campus to the public. Its faculty traded open letters, which were often barbed.

At Harvard, students associated with the anti-Israel letter following the Hamas attack were doxxed .

At Northwestern University, students at a rally accused the university president, Michael H. Schill, of being complicit in the killing of Palestinians in Gaza. At George Washington University , students projected slogans like “Glory to our martyrs” on a building wall.

And at Brown University, 20 students were arrested in November after holding a sit-in where they pushed for a cease-fire and a divestment from weapons manufacturers. Students were also arrested at a pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Michigan.

Hillel, a Jewish campus group, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations, an Arab and Muslim civil rights group, both recorded a rising number of bias incidents on campus.

A congressional hearing leads to outrage.

Nothing heightened the debate more than the Dec. 5 congressional hearing with the presidents of Harvard, M.I.T. and Penn. The presidents, asked whether students would be sanctioned if they called for genocide against Jews, infamously said it would depend on the context.

Their legalistic and dispassionate responses sparked an uproar and widespread condemnation. Dr. Gay and Ms. Magill never recovered from their testimony and resigned under pressure.

How are schools addressing the protests?

There are signs that some colleges have started cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests and events, despite possible free-speech concerns.

Students for Justice in Palestine, the most prominent pro-Palestinian campus group, has been suspended from at least four universities, including Columbia, Brandeis, George Washington and Rutgers.

Vanderbilt recently expelled three students for the takeover of an administration building.

The University of Southern California said on Monday that it had canceled plans for a graduation speech by this year’s valedictorian, Asna Tabassum, who is Muslim. The school cited security concerns, but Muslim civil rights groups have denounced the decision as censorship.

And after a student protest interrupted a school ceremony for high-achieving students, officials at the University of Michigan put forward a proposal that would ban activities that disrupt “celebrations, activities and operations of the university.” Michigan’s president, Santa J. Ono, said the demonstration was “unacceptable.” But the Michigan chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union criticized that policy as too vague and broad.

Jeremy W. Peters contributed reporting.

An earlier version of this article misstated when the Harvard Palestine Solidarity Groups issued a public letter holding “the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all the unfolding violence.” The letter was issued on the weekend of the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, not on the weekend after the attack.

An earlier version of this article incorrectly linked and misidentified a statement by the American Civil Liberties Union’s Michigan chapter. The statement that said the University of Michigan had taken actions that “censored, suppressed, and punished student speech and advocacy” was issued on Dec. 19; it was not in reference to a more recent proposal from the university. 

How we handle corrections

Anemona Hartocollis is a national reporter for The Times, covering higher education. More about Anemona Hartocollis

Colbi Edmonds writes about the environment, education and infrastructure. More about Colbi Edmonds

Our Coverage of the Israel-Hamas War

News and Analysis

The United States blocked the U.N. Security Council from moving forward on a Palestinian bid to be recognized as a full member state at the United Nations, quashing an effort by Palestinian allies  to get the world body to back the effort.

Gazans released from Israeli detention described graphic scenes of physical abuse  in testimonies gathered by U.N. workers, according to a new report.

Britain, the United States, France and other allies of Israel have voiced their anger over the death toll in Gaza, but when Iran launched a missile barrage at Israel, they set it aside . At least for the moment.

The Israel pavilion at the Venice Biennale is closed this year, since its creative team decided not to exhibit work  until there was a cease-fire and hostage deal in Gaza, but it was nonetheless the site of a large demonstration .

A Surprising Rift: The Israel-Hamas war, which has roiled cultural and political institutions far beyond the Middle East, is causing divisions in a prominent Japanese American group .

Mobilizing the American Left: As the death toll in Gaza climbed, the pro-Palestinian movement grew into a powerful, if disjointed, political force in the United States . Democrats are feeling the pressure.

Riding Rage Over Israel: Jackson Hinkle’s incendiary commentary  has generated over two million new followers on X since October — a surge that some researchers say is aided by inauthentic accounts by the online celebrity.

Psychedelics and Trauma: Thousands of festival-goers were using mind-altering substances when Hamas-led fighters attacked on Oct 7. Now, scientists are studying the effects of such drugs at a moment of trauma .

University of Michigan faces lawsuit over withholding mouse swim test footage

Advocates say the forced swim test does not result in results useful to humans suffering from depression..

Editor's note: This is a content warning. The following video and images contain sensitive content that some readers may find offensive or disturbing.

An animal rights group is suing the University of Michigan Board of Regents, saying the university refused to turn over videos of mice forced to swim in plastic cylinders with no chance of escaping as part of a research project to test the effectiveness of a drug on human depression.

The group, Animal Partisan , had requested the documents under the Michigan Freedom of Information Act in December. The university denied the request in January, citing multiple exemptions in the open records law.

Animal Partisan filed the lawsuit on Monday in the Michigan Court of Claims, alleging the exemptions cited by the university do not apply to the videos created in connection with a 2019 study titled "Stress-sensitive antidepressant-like effects of ketamine in the mouse forced-swim test."

The university's Department of Psychiatry conducted the study. A spokeswoman declined to comment, citing pending litigation, but provided a statement from 2022 that said: "The University of Michigan supports the humane, judicious use of animals in research to advance scientific understanding and improve health outcomes for both humans and animals. Through projects that span a variety of fields — including medicine, dentistry, engineering, public health, kinesiology, and natural resources — animals have made critical contributions to human and veterinary medicine and saved countless lives."

According to an article in a scientific journal, available through the the National Library of Medicine, a part of the National Institutes of Health, the forced swim test is a rodent behavioral test used, in part, to evaluate anti-depressant drugs and the effectiveness of new compounds in those drugs.

A spokeswoman for the NLM said Inclusion in an NLM database does not imply endorsement of, or agreement with, the contents by NLM, NIH, or the federal government.

Will Lowrey, a lawyer in Virginia, said his group, Animal Partisan, often files open records requests related to research involving animal tests, and questionable agricultural practices using animals. According to its website, Animal Partisan is a legal advocacy organization that aims to end the suffering of animals in slaughterhouses, farms, and labs by discovering, exposing, and challenging unlawful conduct.

The forced swim test, he said, is not necessary.

"There's no value and no reason to put an animal in a body of water and let them swim," he said. In the case of the forced swim tests involving mice, the results are not useful because they do not translate to humans.

The lawsuit seeks the videos and attorney fees and costs.

"The public has a right to know what happened, to see how the animals were treated, to see how the animals reacted," Lowery said.

In a forced swim test, he said the mice are "terrified, defecating in terror. They go limp. They try and chew and bite the container. … It's a horrific test."

Emily Trunnell, director of science advancement and outreach for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA, said the group has campaigned against the forced swim test for the past six years and has seen fewer studies published in scientific journals based on those test results.

She said researchers use the test because it is easy and low cost: all that's needed is a beaker, a timer, and a few mice or rats.

So how can they tell when a mouse is depressed? The short answer: Those who despair and give up are believed to be more depressed than the animals that keep swimming.

Trunnell, who has a doctorate in neuroscience, said the test "produces misleading data and produces results that don't align with humans."

"Just because … a drug affects a rodent swimming doesn't mean it will effectively treat human depression," she said.

The lawsuit said the university denied the videos because the information is exempt under the Confidential Research and Investment Information Act. But in the lawsuit, Ann Arbor lawyer John Reynolds argued that the investment act applies to trade secrets, and commercial or financial information that is provided to a university by a private, outside source.

"These videos do not qualify as trade secrets, commercial information or financial information and further were not provided to the university by a private external source," the lawsuit claims.

The suit also said the university cannot claim that the videos are either trade secrets, proprietary, or commercially valuable material. The study was published in 2019 and the university sought no copyrights or patents from the research. Even if the university were to claim the research had these protections, Reynolds said it has missed the deadline for copyrights and patents.

Related: 'New day in Lansing' as lawmakers advance FOIA bills, introduce transparency measures

As a longtime lawyer for the Detroit Free Press, Herschel Fink, has had many dealings with the University of Michigan over open records requests and called the university "a serial abuser of the Freedom of Information Act."

Fink most recently won a FOIA case against the university over the compensation of a top executive and was awarded thousands of dollars in attorney fees.

Related: Judge orders U-M to tell Free Press how it pays top endowment official

The university, he said, "is all about secrecy."

Contact Jennifer Dixon: [email protected]

Professors Arato, Bennoune in Spotlight at American Society of International Law Annual Meeting

• International and Comparative Law

Professor Karima Bennoune, ’94, received the American Society of International Law ( ASIL ) Prominent Woman in International Law award at the group’s recent annual meeting—an event that was co-chaired by Professor Julian Arato. 

ASIL is a nonprofit organization that supports the study of international law. Presented by ASIL ’s Women in International Law Interest Group at the society’s annual meeting, the award to Bennoune “recognizes the work of women who use international law to advance women and women’s rights, break through glass ceilings, and promote women and women’s voices in the field.”

In announcing the award, the group said Bennoune’s nomination had received wide support, particularly in light of her leadership in the international movement to formally  recognize the situation in Afghanistan as “gender apartheid .”

“In promoting women’s rights, Professor Bennoune has done substantial fieldwork…to uplift and promote women suffering persecution around the world,” the group noted. 

“I am deeply honored and humbled to receive this as a recognition of the work I have done with so many women frontline human rights defenders,” Bennoune said. “I am so grateful for the Law School’s support, which has made it possible for me to do this work—both during my excellent legal education years ago, and since I have had the joy of coming back [as a faculty member].”

Leading ASIL ’s annual meeting

ASIL presented Bennoune’s award as part of its  annual meeting April 3-6 in Washington, DC —with Arato serving as co-chair of the meeting. Bennoune served as chair of the group’s  midyear meeting in November 2023. 

As one of three co-chairs of the meeting, Arato was responsible for overseeing the entire conference—comprising 60 panel discussions and four keynote speeches, attended by some 1,200 people. The co-chairs work with a committee that helps put together the panels, but they do considerable hands-on organizing as well. 

Arato also had the opportunity to lead one of the keynote events: He  conducted a fireside chat with  US Trade Representative Katherine Tai to open the conference.  

Watch the Fireside Chat

“ ASIL is a really important organization. and the University of Michigan Law School is a longtime academic partner institution. Members of our community go every year to present, and in addition to Karima, our faculty members have received numerous awards,” Arato said.

The Law School also sponsored five students’ attendance at the conference, which Arato said can be a defining experience for a young lawyer with a largely academic background. 

“Suddenly you’re with over a thousand people, 700 or 800 of whom are practicing lawyers in the field from all levels of seniority, or scholars in the field. And you’re treated as an equal. You can go to panels; you can ask questions of government officials, ambassadors, and cabinet members in a room filled with some of the people whose work you’ve read and learned from. So, first of all, it’s an important and enriching experience for students and faculty, but it’s also one with real payoff for the students’ careers.”

Interim Dean  Kyle Logue noted that Arato’s and Bennoune’s work with ASIL highlights the longstanding importance of international law at Michigan. 

“International law has been central to the Law School’s identity since its founding, when our statutory mission required one faculty member to be devoted to it. Since then, international law has only grown in scope and importance,” Logue said. “Today, our  international law faculty are leaders in the field, and I’m proud to see this reflected in our work with ASIL .”

At Michigan Law, Arato is a professor of law, director of the Program on Law and the Global Economy, and faculty director of the Center for International and Comparative Law. His research focuses on the law of treaties, international investment law and arbitration, international trade, contracts, corporations, and private law theory. His article “The Private Law Critique of International Investment Law” won the 2019 Francis Deák Prize for best article by a younger author published in the  American Journal of International Law , as well as the inaugural ICCA Guillermo Aguilar-Alvarez Memorial Prize. He has previously served ASIL on its executive council and as co-chair of the international economic law interest group.

Bennoune—the Lewis M. Simes Professor of Law—specializes in public international law and international human rights law, including issues related to culture, extremism and terrorism, and women’s human rights. She served as the UN special rapporteur in the field of cultural rights from 2015 to 2021. In September 2023, she addressed the  UN Security Council about gender apartheid in Afghanistan. Her book,  Your Fatwa Does Not Apply Here  ( W.W. Norton & Co., 2013), received the 2014 Dayton Literary Peace Prize for nonfiction.

Banner photo: Five current Michigan Law students joined faculty and staff at the American Society of International Law annual meeting in Washington, DC . Erick Guapizaca Jiménez LLM ’23, SJD candidate; 3L Emily Hammerslough; 3L Grace Bruce; LLM student Widad Elias; and 3L Matt Azzopardi are pictured at an alumni reception with Center for International and Comparative Law staff Elizabeth Snook, Assistant Dean for International Affairs Eric Christiansen, and Faculty Director Julian Arato.

Also of Interest

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Japanese Professors Visit Michigan Law

Federal Reserve’s Michael Barr Discusses Health of Banking System, SVB Failures, and More at Michigan Law Conference

Professor Daniel Fryer Joins Washtenaw County Advisory Council on Reparations

Ebb drop-in session 1, cls bible study, ebb drop-in session 2.

Police identify 7 suspects in alleged anti-LGBTQ assault on two Michigan State students

Police announced Tuesday that they identified seven suspects in connection to an alleged assault on two college students that took place at their school’s main library the day before.

Michigan State University police said in a statement that the suspects targeted the two victims on Monday potentially for bias against the victims’ sexual orientation. They added that none of the suspects were affiliated with the university and that they will be requesting prosecutors to press charges once an investigation is complete. 

“It is important to recognize that crimes are never the fault of a victim,” the statement reads. “Anyone who believes they have been discriminated against or harassed is encouraged to report the incident(s) to the MSU Office of Institutional Equity.”

Doug Monette, MSU’s interim vice president and chief safety officer, and Vennie Gore, the senior vice president for the school’s student life and engagement department, addressed students and faculty in a separate statement on Tuesday. 

Monette and Gore noted that the incident occurred during the university’s LGBTQ Pride Month, “underscoring its significance.” The pair added that the alleged altercation was based on the students’ “racial identities” in addition to their sexualities. 

“Discrimination or harassment, including hate crimes, based on protected identities can have a significant impact,” they said. “We want everyone to know that they deserve to feel safe and respected.”

Neither the university nor MSU Police immediately responded to requests for further comment. 

If only anti-LGBTQ bias were at play, Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel noted, it is not possible for prosecutors to charge the suspects with a hate crime. Existing Michigan state law does not prohibit intimidation, harassment, threats or harm based on an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity. 

“It’s not an included class, under the Ethnic Intimidation Act,” she said, addressing reporters at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday. It would be, under the proposed laws in both the House and the Senate. I have encouraged the Legislature to move forward on that, and this might be an example of why it’s so important to do so.”

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Outcry after Michigan university announces plan to restrict protest rights

University of Michigan president Santa J Ono proposes ‘disruptive activity policy’ after pro-Palestinian group cuts his speech short

The University of Michigan is facing backlash from students, faculty and civil rights attorneys following a proposal to significantly restrict the right to protest on campus.

The “disruptive activity policy”, announced last week in a campus-wide email from the university president, Santa J Ono, would create strict punishments for anyone who interrupts official university events, including speeches, classes, athletic events, field trips, performances, graduation and award ceremonies.

Students and faculty who violate the rule could face expulsion or firing.

“Going to such extreme lengths to ban protests outright, it seems like an incredibly extreme step on the university’s part,” said Haley Johnson, a graduate student at the school.

The draft policy comes after students spent months calling on university leadership to divest from companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which help provide weapons to the Israeli military amid the ongoing bombing campaign in Gaza. Similar calls for divestment have been taken up by students across North America, including groups at McGill University and Brown University .

The University of Michigan acted after Ono described as “unacceptable” a protest staged by Tahrir, a coalition of more than 80 student groups that support divestment, at last month’s convocation for honors students. Ono had been slated to speak at the event, but his speech was cut short by student protesters.

Ono later condemned the interruption of his convocation speech as an “intrusion on one of the university’s most important academic traditions”.

Campus protests – and the censorship that follows – have come into sharper focus this year, as university students continue to organize in support of the people of Gaza. In November, Columbia University suspended Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and Jewish Voice for Peace, two pro-Palestinian groups on campus. That same month, George Washington University suspended their campus chapter of SJP after the group projected “ Glory to our martyrs ” on the wall of a library.

“My personal feeling is that what we experienced at the honors convocation should not occur again,” said Thomas Braun, a biostatistics professor at the University of Michigan.

Braun, who was on stage during the March event for honors students, also heads a faculty advisory committee that, he said, “consults with the president, provost and other executive officers of the university” on policies “that impact faculty interests”.

In January, the University of Michigan’s faculty senate became one of the first in the nation to call for divestment from “financial holdings in companies that invest in Israel’s ongoing military campaign in Gaza”.

Braun said that he and other members of the faculty senate were not consulted on the draft policy before its release last week. Despite reservations about the scope and intensity of the proposal, Braun said he supports “some” new rules on protest, adding that the interruption of Ono’s convocation speech “went over the line for me”.

“I personally respect your ability to protest whatever you want, but I also should have the right to decide that I don’t want to participate,” he said.

Like Braun, student leaders were surprised to learn that the university president was considering new rules prohibiting “disruptive activity” on campus.

“It’s really disheartening that our university would put out such a severe policy with no student or faculty input,” said Meera Herle, president of the University of Michigan’s student government. “This would be a major adjustment of our rights on campus, to put this out without consulting us is troubling.”

Herle was especially alarmed by the seemingly broad and vague language of the proposed rule, which defines “disruptive activity” as any action that disrupts “the free flow of persons about campus, whether indoors or outdoors, including any pedestrian, bicycle or vehicular traffic”.

In a letter slamming University of Michigan leaders, the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan said the policy’s imprecise language “fails to make important distinctions that would prevent predictable first amendment violations”. The letter, sent this week to Ono and his vice-president, Timothy Lynch, warned that such restrictions on protest would lead to “discriminatory enforcement and uneven self-censorship”.

Ono released another email this week, in response to mounting anger over the potential repression of free speech on campus, saying that university leadership was “listening” to concerns and “will not rush the development of this new policy”.

Assurances aside, critics of the draft policy remain wary of the president’s apparent ambition to restrict protests at one of the nation’s top public universities.

“The announcement about the policy was shocking, and not in keeping with the legacy of the university,” said Sean Johnson, an astronomy professor.

“In my mind, protest is necessarily disruptive, the degree to which is a question of strategy for the activists.”

Jenan Kharbush, an environmental science professor, shared Johnson’s alarm that the university would consider such punitive protest restrictions. Kharbush, who is Palestinian-American, said the proposed rule represents an unfair act of retaliation against student organizing.

“These students are calling for divestment from companies that profit from the current genocide. That’s not antisemitic, and that’s not anti-Israel,” Kharbush said. “The university is obscuring the real message that these students are fighting for.”

Kharbush’s family came to the US as refugees after the Nakba, or catastrophe, of 1948, in which about 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homeland after the creation of Israel . Her extended family is now scattered across Lebanon and Palestine, including Gaza.

“I’m so scared for the people in Palestine, and I’m so tired,” said Kharbush. “You have to go about daily life, teaching and working, all while having these questions in your head: will this end before everyone’s gone? Will this end before everyone in Gaza starves to death?”

From within their classrooms, Kharbush and Johnson can sometimes hear the sounds of student protesters chanting outside. To Kharbush, that is the sound of solidarity and support during a painful, anxious time. To Johnson, it’s “the sign of a healthy university campus”.

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