In response to last semester’s protests, Washington University’s Board of Trustees recently established an ad hoc committee to examine the University’s open-campus policies and to promote campus safety.

WashU’s open campus allows St. Louis community members to access its physical spaces and resources, and it provides WashU students with more opportunities in the greater St. Louis community. Changes to WashU’s open-campus policies could potentially limit St. Louisans’ access to campus.

Junior Ashton Lee, Vice President of Engagement for the Student Union (SU), emphasized the historical importance of WashU’s connection to St. Louis.  

“We were originally in downtown St. Louis as a night school and vocational school for the community,” Lee said. 

Senior Ava Kennard expressed that she would be interested in learning more about what the ad hoc committee is doing and what potential changes could mean for WashU’s role in the St. Louis community.

“I just wouldn’t want it to send the wrong message that we’re trying to be less connected with the St. Louis community,” Kennard said.

The ad hoc committee has provided few public details on which policies they are reviewing, and they denied a request to comment. 

Emeritus Trustee William B. Pollard III, Chair of the ad hoc committee, emphasized the importance of prioritizing safety on WashU’s campus, in an interview with The Source. 

“Given the current climate of increased protest activity on campuses nationwide, the Board wants to ensure that our policies are effective in maintaining a safe campus environment while upholding the core principles of freedom of expression and academic freedom,” Pollard told The Source.

Lee also recognized the importance of campus safety, but thought that the ad hoc committee should narrow its focus to specific areas.

“I think safety is important near our residential halls, like the South 40 or the Village. [It’s] fine [to] prioritize safety, but overall, this is an educational institution. Institutions like this were created to be a resource for the community,” Lee said.

When asked about the topic at an SU meeting, Rob Wild — Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, and Dean of Students — expressed that he would be upset if the University chose to close its campus for non-WashU community members.

“As a long-time member of this community, I would be pretty devastated if we changed our open-campus policies,” Wild said. 

Kennard, who is a St. Louis local, expressed that it was valuable for her to have access to WashU’s campus before she was admitted as a student. 

“My family and I, especially during COVID, would go on walks pretty much every few days because it was really helpful to have such a beautiful, open space right next to us, because it’s not quite as far as Forest Park,” Kennard said. 

Despite WashU’s recent rebranding, which removed St. Louis from the logo, Lee articulated that St. Louis remains at the core of WashU’s identity.

“When you hear WashU, it’s [Washington University] in St. Louis. It’s our full name. Even though we rebranded, that’s still our full name,” Lee said.

The ad hoc committee is accepting input from members of the WashU community. Lee appreciates the committee’s willingness to consider feedback from students and faculty.

“I’m very happy that they’re gaining student input on this. I think what they’ll find is, students want a deeper connection with St. Louis. We don’t want to stay in the WashU bubble,” Lee said. 

Students and staff can contact the ad hoc committee with questions or feedback about their review of WashU’s open-campus policies at [email protected], and faculty can email [email protected].