The below message was sent to faculty, staff, and students on April 25, 2026.
Dear Bryn Mawr Community,
I am writing to share information with our campus community about events that happened this morning as our Board of Trustees was convening to conclude their April meeting. Shortly after 8:00 a.m., 30-40 individuals wearing masks gathered in front of the Hepburn Teaching Theater to form a protest. The protesters – who included both students and individuals not affiliated with the college – obstructed passage in and out of the building, blocked entrances, and impeded traffic. During this time, one individual was physically assaulted by a protester, and several others suffered auditory injuries due to excessive noise within close proximity via bullhorn. When protesters failed to disperse after multiple warnings, officers from the Lower Merion Police Department responded. The protesters dispersed soon afterward.
While Bryn Mawr stands firmly in support of free expression as a hallmark of the student experience, we have clear guidelines around protest, which are outlined in the Guidelines in Support of Protests and Demonstrations. In no uncertain terms, the actions of protesters today violated these guidelines. We have zero tolerance for physical violence.
We are currently working with authorities to investigate the assaults and support those community members impacted by these actions. Our primary focus remains ensuring a secure campus environment where all faculty, staff, and students can work and learn without fear of harm. Our core mission of academic excellence and robust yet peaceful protest can and must coexist.
Wendy
Wendy Cadge
President and Professor of Sociology
Bryn Mawr College
101 N. Merion Ave., Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
Pronouns: she/her
brynmawr.edu
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