The University of Michigan will continue to consider a request from representatives of white supremacist Richard Spencer to rent space to speak on the Ann Arbor campus, but no potential dates are being considered before the end of the academic year.
The traditional academic year concludes with spring commencement April 28.
University officials said the latest communication from a representative of Spencer suggested the possibility of looking at dates later in the year. In light of that suggestion, the university will offer potential dates after the end of the current semester.
Consistent with earlier U-M communications, the university will continue its ongoing safety and security assessments and will offer possible dates based on these assessments.
President Mark Schlissel has consistently said the university would only rent a venue if the university’s Division of Public Safety and Security could assure a reasonably safe setting for such an event. That commitment remains in place.
Spencer will speak in March at Michigan State University. In an agreement that resolved a lawsuit filed against the university, MSU has agreed to rent space March 5 on its East Lansing campus for Spencer to speak.
