Annual DePaul Fest canceled by university officials, reports student newspaper
CHICAGO — DePaul University officials have canceled the university’s annual DePaul Fest, reports The DePaulia, the school’s student newspaper, as pro-Palestinian demonstrators remain camped out on the quad of the university’s Lincoln Park campus.
According to the report, DePaul Fest is usually held on the university quad and was scheduled for this Friday, May 17. The report says DePaul’s Office of Student Involvement emailed DePaul Fest ticket-holders Monday evening, saying they’ll be refunded.
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“Given the current campus environment, (DePaul Fest) 2024 cannot proceed as planned,” the email read. “We have heard from a number of students — particularly the Class of 2024, whose high school graduations and first year of college were disrupted by the pandemic — that they are still are seeking to have traditional student activities as they end the academic year.
“Our goal is to honor these students’ wishes however we can.”
A spokesperson for DePaul says end-of-year activities are being adjusted and plans will be shared with students as soon as they’re available. According to The DePaulia report, the Office of Student Involvement plans to host other activities on Friday evening in the Lincoln Park Student Center.
The protester encampment, known as the DePaul Divestment Coalition, is entering a 15th day on DePaul’s quad Tuesday.
READ MORE: Pro-Palestinian encampment reaches into third week at DePaul University
The university has not responded to questions about any plans to clear the encampment or continue negotiations with protesters.
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