š» Coming out of hibernation for just a moment to share some now-relevant Polisi quotes we didn’t use for our very second article in 2016. Juilliard has also supplied an updated statement from 2025.
2016. President Polisi on collaborating with federal agents on Trump’s 2016 “Muslim Ban”
EDITOR: In the case of a Muslim ban, will the school comply [and provide information to federal investigators]?Ā
PRESIDENT POLISI: ā¦If the FBI came to us and said āwe’re doing an investigation on Muslim students,ā we would inquire where the authorization wasā¦ We would not bend over and just say, āfine,ā in other words.
ā¦One has to comply with US law. And if you get a federal judge that issues a subpoena on an inquiry into a studentā¦ our general counsel has to look at it and see whether we have to comply or notā¦ If it’s a fishing expedition [to find out if] someone happens to be Muslim, that would be anathama to anything I would believe inā¦and weād put up every barrier possible to not comply until we had to complyā¦.
2016. President Polisi on student free speech rights at Juilliard
STUDENT: [Something like ‘Would Juilliard ever issue a statement in opposition to Trump’s policies?’]Ā
PRESIDENT POLISI: I think that if the students feel strongly about something, then the students should do something about it…
…You know, if you are an organization of Juilliard students and want to say that you are for or against whatever else is happening here, that’s your right. That’s your First Amendment Right….It’s absolutely your right to do whatever you want. I mean, I prefer you not occupy my office!
[laughter]
2016. President Polisi on keeping students targeted by Trump safe
STUDENT: One thing that I need from you as the president of this institution is for us to talk about how are we going to make sure that the people here that have been targeted by [Trump] are going to be protected by this institution?Ā
PRESIDENT POLISI: [after saying something to the effect of ‘Juilliard can’t protect you off campus’] ā¦we are here as an institution to educate you and to protect you, to make you as safe as we possibly can within the confines of this buildingā¦
ā¦I can only tell you as the president of this place, the extraordinary faculty, administration and your peersā¦we’re going to protect each other as much as we canā¦
2025. Juilliard Statement from Mary Caraccioli, Vice President of Communications and Marketing
At Juilliard, we are deeply committed, as always, to supporting our students and addressing any challenges they face. Under President Woetzelās leadership, we continue to uphold our commitment to delivering the highest quality of artistic education, empowering students from around the world to reach their fullest potential. The safety and support of our entire student body, whether national or international, is an essential priority.
As policies and regulations evolve, we remain proactive in working directly with those affected, ensuring that our community receives accurate and timely information to guide them through any changes.
Related
Juilliard Community Confronts Trump Presidency at Polisi Forum
President Polisi responds to Dieffenbach & Parker Editorial
Why Showing Up Matters: student counter-protest (photos by Daniel Davila)
What I Saw at a Columbia Protest
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