Student Protestors interrupt ISU President Aondover Tarhule’s State of the University Address

Image courtesy of Illinois State University’s official Instagram page

NORMAL, Ill. – Illinois State University President Aondover Tarhule gave the State of the University address in the Center for Performing Arts on Thursday. 

This yearly presentation was interrupted by students affiliated with the Peace for Palestine organization demanding ISU devests from companies that monetarily support Israel’s cause in the Israel-Hamas war. 

The students protested outside the Center for Performing Arts before the address and brought their efforts inside after the event began. Students held signage in front of the stage and around the auditorium for the duration of Tarhule’s message. Several people went up to the protesters during the display, presumably asking them to step down to no avail.  

During the question-and-answer portion of the address, one of the student protestors accused Tarhule of ignoring the student’s protests and concerns. Tarhule responded by stating his existing stance on the matter. 

“As I’ve said many times before I’m very pleased by our student’s civic engagement,” Tarhule said.” With respect to the specific question you asked I want to say I think I think I have responded as clearly as I could on this matter. A university is a complex place, especially a university of our size. With 21,500 students we have a diversity of perspectives and positions that our constituents take. Our role as an institution is to provide a safe and supportive environment for all people to share their positions. It is not our job to pick one position.” 

Immediately after the address, the student protestors left the building and began protesting along the quad’s perimeter. The protesters declined to comment on behalf of Peace for Palestine or any other organizations they represent. However, first-year student Andrew Franson stated his feelings on the issue, separate from PFP. 

“Tarhule is a clown,” Franson claimed. “He full well knows what he and his administration can do and say, and he just wants to dodge the question.” 

This is not the first time students have taken to the quad to protest the university’s potential indirect monetary support to Israeli efforts. Protesters were posted on the quad back in May and continued their efforts for several days, resulting in the arrest of seven participants.  

The address itself introduced new initiatives and academic advancements for the university’s future.  

Tarhule announced the launch of the Resiliency, Innovation, Sustainability and Excellence, or RISE Taskforce chaired by School of Music Professor and Chair of the Academic, Senate Martha Horst, and Interim Associate Vice President for Budget and Planning, Amanda Hendrix.  

“The RISE Taskforce will meet regularly with consultants and convey feedback from campus constituents to Cabinet and the external consultants regarding existing budget processes and developing a new budget model,” Tarhule explained. “I expect the task force to provide transparency between the work of the external consultants and the University community.” 

In the Fiscal year of 2024, several new degree programs, sequences and certificates were introduced, including: 

• Data Science 

• Sports Communication 

• STEM MBA 

• Master’s in physics 

• Artificial Intelligence and Decision-Making Sequence 

• Early Childhood Education minor 

• Health and Wellness Coaching Graduate Certificate 

The College of Engineering is also slated to begin its inaugural class in 2025.