The University of Michigan has canceled all contracts with external vendors for plainclothes security on campus, following a Guardian report that revealed private investigators had been surveilling pro-Palestinian student protesters for months. The university president, Domenico Grasso, stated that an employee of a contractor, City Shield (parent company Ameri-Shield), acted against university values. The surveillance, which cost the university at least $800,000, involved confrontational and unethical behavior by investigators, and some evidence was used by Michigan prosecutors to charge students. The decision comes amid widespread outrage and calls for further action from students.
University of Michigan ends undercover surveillance contracts after Guardian revelations
US universitiesProtestSurveillanceUS educationMichiganUnited StatesHigher educationIsrael-Gaza war
AI Summary
TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️The University of Michigan has canceled all contracts with external vendors for plainclothes security on campus, following a Guardian report that revealed private investigators had been surveilling pro-Palestinian student protesters for months. The university president, Domenico Grasso, stated that an employee of a contractor, City Shield (parent company Ameri-Shield), acted against university values. The surveillance, which cost the university at least $800,000, involved confrontational and unethical behavior by investigators, and some evidence was used by Michigan prosecutors to charge students. The decision comes amid widespread outrage and calls for further action from students.
Trending- 1 June 2023 - September 2024: The University of Michigan paid Ameri-Shield at least $800,000 for security services.
- 2 Recently: The Guardian published revelations about the undercover surveillance of pro-Palestinian students.
- 3 Sunday night: U-M President Domenico Grasso announced the termination of all contracts with external plainclothes security vendors.
- 4 Recently: Michigan attorney general Dan Nessel dropped the remaining charges against students.
- Termination of the University of Michigan's contracts with private security firms for plainclothes surveillance.
- Public acknowledgment and apology from the university president regarding the misconduct.
- Charges against some students, based on investigator evidence, were dropped.
- Increased scrutiny on the university's handling of student protests and security practices.
What: The University of Michigan terminated its contracts with private security firms for undercover surveillance of pro-Palestinian student groups after a Guardian investigation exposed their activities and unethical conduct.
When: Sunday night, June 8, 2025, for the announcement; surveillance occurred for months between June 2023 and September 2024.
Where: University of Michigan campus, Michigan, United States.
Why: Widespread outcry and public outrage followed The Guardian's revelations, including video evidence of an investigator's disturbing conduct. The university president acknowledged that the contractor's actions went against the university's values and directives.
How: The university president, Domenico Grasso, announced the termination of all contracts with external plainclothes security vendors via an email to students and faculty.