Carnegie Mellon University

Summary

In July 2025, a message painted on Carnegie Mellon University’s century-old campus landmark known as the Fence—a longstanding platform for public expression—sparked campus-wide debate. The message, reading “SHAME ON YOU” and “NO RAPISTS ON OUR CAMPUS,” appeared days before former President Donald Trump visited CMU for the Pennsylvania Energy and Innovation Summit. Referencing a civil jury’s finding that Trump was liable for sexual abuse, the message was painted over by university staff prior to the visit. Students repainted it, only for it to be removed again by CMU facilities, prompting widespread student outcry.

President Farnam Jahanian issued a campus-wide statement explaining that the Fence had been taken offline because the painting was anonymous and “personal, ad hominem,” crossing a line inconsistent with CMU’s values of “transparency, integrity, and respect.” While affirming the university’s commitment to free speech, he stated that such expression must occur in a way that upholds civil discourse. He also acknowledged the administration’s failure to recognize the pain caused by sexual violence and committed to reflection and improvement.

Many students reacted with frustration and disappointment, viewing the removal as censorship and a chilling of political speech timed around a high-profile event. Some said they were “in a state of shock” and questioned the future meaning of the Fence if its use could be restricted without warning. Student leaders, including members of the CMU College Democrats, met with university officials to advocate for policy clarity and protections ensuring the Fence remains a space for open, student-led expression.

In protest, students constructed a temporary second Fence in a highly visible area on campus. Painted with messages such as “Freedom of speech matters” and references to historical Fence slogans, the new structure became a symbolic site highlighting CMU’s legacy of free expression. It served as both a protest and a way to reclaim a tradition that students felt was under threat. The structure drew national attention and sparked broader campus discussions about institutional control over political speech.

On July 21, CMU reopened the original Fence without new restrictions and announced the formation of a working group—including faculty, staff, and students—to evaluate its long-term governance. President Jahanian described the reopening as an opportunity for the community to “learn and grow together.” As of late July, the second Fence remained standing, continuing to serve as a student-led platform for expression and reflection.