University Removes Green Library Banner to Uphold Institutional Neutrality: What This Means for Students

In January, Stanford University permanently took down the “K(no)w Justice, K(no)w Peace” banner from the Cecil H. Green Library. Provost Jenny Martinez shared this decision at a Faculty Senate meeting. The banner had been displayed annually since 2020 to support the exhibit “Say Their Names — No More Names,” which honors 65 Black Americans who lost their lives to police violence and systemic racism.

Anh Ly, the Assistant University Librarian for External Relations, mentioned in an email that the banner was typically up for three to four months each fall for promotional purposes. However, this year, the University chose not to rehang it after the promotion period ended.

This decision followed a complaint from Jeffrey Zwiebel, a finance professor in the Graduate School of Business. He argued the banner contradicted the University’s policy on political neutrality. In response, Provost Martinez asked the AdHoc Committee on University Speech to investigate the issue.

Bernadette Meyler, a Special Advisor to the Provost, led the committee’s review. They concluded that the banner did not violate neutrality guidelines as it served as an advertisement for an academic exhibit. However, they recognized that if the banner remained up permanently, it could be seen as the University taking a political stance.

With this understanding, Meyler conveyed to the library staff that the removal of the banner would be permanent. This decision came just weeks before President Donald Trump announced an executive order that would affect diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs at universities.

During the Faculty Senate meeting, President Jonathan Levin mentioned that the University would need to review its DEI initiatives and that some may require changes. Eugene Volokh, a member of the AdHoc Committee, clarified that the recent political developments did not influence the committee’s conclusion. He stated that the University should remain neutral and serve as a platform for diverse views rather than expressing its own stance.

Overall, the removal of the banner highlights the delicate balance universities face in maintaining institutional policies while addressing social issues and promoting dialogue.

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