ANN ARBOR, Mich. — In response to troubling allegations, the University of Michigan has decided to end its relationship with a private security company accused of monitoring pro-Palestinian activists both on and off campus. The university labeled the behavior of a security company employee as “disturbing, unacceptable and unethical,” though further specifics weren’t provided.
University President Domenico Grasso announced on Sunday that the institution will cease all contracts with outside vendors for plainclothes security services on campus. “Going forward, we are terminating all contracts with external vendors to provide plainclothes security on campus,” he stated in his official announcement.
Last week’s report by the Guardian contained claims from students who felt they were being watched in the Ann Arbor area. A video was shared where a member of a Muslim student group approached a suspicious individual observing them from a vehicle last summer. The confrontation escalated when the man allegedly yelled accusations of theft against the student.
There has been an ongoing strain between university authorities and pro-Palestinian student groups. A protest encampment occupied part of the campus for a month last year before being dismantled by officials citing safety concerns. While this led to felony charges against seven individuals, the charges were eventually dismissed in May.
The university clarified that the private security firm was initially engaged to monitor high-traffic areas for any suspicious activity, not for conducting surveillance. Grasso emphasized, “No individual or group should ever be targeted for their beliefs or affiliations.” This decision marks a significant step in addressing community concerns and maintaining campus safety without compromising civil liberties.