UC System Implements New Rules On Protests, Encampments

Here are the morning’s top stories on Tuesday, August 20, 2024…

• University of California President Michael Drake sent out a letter this week, calling on campuses to enforce a zero tolerance policy when it comes to protest encampments on college campuses. It’s in response to the widespread student protests on college campuses across the country this past spring. 
• The city of Long Beach is the latest to tackle the issue of homeless encampments. Sweeps began on Monday. A recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on encampments is giving cities more leeway to enforce anti-camping regulations.  
• California has hit a milestone as it works to generate 100%  of its electricity using clean energy sources. But experts say the state still has a long way to go to reach that goal.

UC President Orders New Rules on Encampments, Masks

University of California President Michael V. Drake directed campus leaders on Monday to communicate and enforce rules on protest encampments as students prepare to return to class after last spring’s demonstrations against the war in Gaza.

In a letter to the chancellors of the 10 UC campuses, which does not specifically mention the last year’s protests or violence at some schools, Drake outlined required policies that ban putting up tents and campsites on university property, blocking access to university buildings and masking to evade being recognized.

“As we prepare to begin a new academic year, it is important that we reaffirm our commitment to fostering an environment that encourages free expression and debate while protecting the rights of all community members to teach, study, live, provide and receive clinical care, and work safely,” the letter reads.

The policies also require that people on campuses identify themselves to university officials.

Long Beach Begins Clearing Homeless Encampments

Long Beach has joined a growing list of California cities who are clearing encampments of unhoused people, and threatening them with a citation for camping or sleeping in public in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision.

Until recently, cities nationwide were prevented from citing, fining, or arresting unhoused people for camping if no city-provided shelters were available. That all changed when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned those legal protections in the Grants Pass decision.

Now, according to a recent memo by city officials, Long Beach will use that authority to enforce its anti-camping ordinances, particularly for encampments, if people refuse services or housing. That means police can issue a misdemeanor trespassing citation to any person sleeping in public, which is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

California Hits Milestones Toward 100% Clean Energy — But Has A Long Way To Go

California recently hit a milestone: 100 days this year with 100% carbon-free, renewable electricity for at least a part of each day, as tracked by Stanford University engineering Professor Mark Z. Jacobson.

The state notched the milestone while — so far — avoiding blackouts and emergency power reductions this year, even with the hottest July on record.

But California still has a long way to go to stop burning fossil fuels for electricity. Natural gas, which emits greenhouse gases and air pollutants, remains its single largest source of electricity. Just over half of power generated for Californians in 2022 came from solar, wind, other renewables and nuclear power, while 36% came from natural gas plants.