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UPDATE, 6 p.m.: The Outpost joined curious students inside Cal Poly Humboldt President Tom Jackson’s office. Have a look. 

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UPDATE, 5:34 p.m.: And just like that Siemens Hall is open. Around 5 p.m. an announcement was made on the UC Quad that the student protesters had decided to open the occupied building to all. Protesters the Outpost spoke with wanted to make clear to us that the occupation is ongoing, just not confined to the building.

The Outpost was part of the first Siemens Hall walkthrough. Wander the halls with us below.

Photos/video by Andrew Goff.

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UPDATE, 4:40 p.m.: Humboldt County Sheriff William Honsal is on campus and hoping to speak with protestors. “We’ve been in contact with President Jackson and we are definitely trying to work on trying to find a resolution,” he told the Outpost’s Ryan Burns.

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UPDATE, 2:35 p.m.:  It appears that the university’s offer to students who surrender includes suspension from school.

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Pro-Palestine activists holding Siemens Hall at Cal Poly Humboldt are actively preparing for a police attempt to expel them. Earlier today, they erected barricades with whatever they could find and constructed riot shields from dumpster lids.

Nevertheless, university administration says the campus will remain closed through the end of the semester — the second week in May. At the same time, the administration just extended an offer to students who may wish to surrender: If they do so by 4 p.m., the administration says, they will not face immediate arrest.

Press release from Cal Poly Humboldt:

As part of an ongoing and urgent effort to protect life and safety in the ongoing crisis of occupied buildings, Cal Poly Humboldt is offering any of those currently in the buildings the opportunity to leave with a guarantee of no immediate arrest. This does not, however, eliminate University conduct-related sanctions or legal implications.

Those who walk out peacefully by the deadline will not be immediately arrested and will be able to leave campus without being arrested. In addition, voluntarily departing in this way will be considered as a mitigating factor in University conduct processes and may reduce the severity of sanctions imposed.

This offer is open until 4 p.m., Friday, April 26.

The offer applies to both students and non-students who are currently occupying buildings and illegally camping around them.

The individuals inside the buildings were told about this opportunity earlier today. They are also being notified by email and other communications channels.

A number of individuals have continued to occupy Siemens Hall since Monday, and have made efforts to occupy other buildings on campus. While the situation is largely stabilized, there is continuing destruction of property and other lawlessness in the central part of campus. This has caused complex operational challenges that require the closure of other facilities on campus. The occupation is having a negative impact on other students, who are trying to complete classes at the end of the semester

The Cal Poly Humboldt campus is closed through the remainder of the semester, and work and instruction continue to be remote. 

Riot shield training. (NOTE: The individual in the green hat is not a legal observer and does not represent the National Lawyers Guild in any capacity.)

Protesters receive the university’s offer.