News
Tragic accident claims life of outgoing Cal Poly SLO student during outdoor excursion
Tragedy struck the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo community as outgoing outdoor enthusiast and mechanical engineering student Kenneth Taylor fell to his death during a hiking trip to Big Sur. The 21-year-old junior from Richland, Wash. had been eagerly looking forward to the annual “Make Waves” Film Festival, an event he had helped plan as a member of the local Surfrider Foundation chapter.
Known for his passion for the outdoors, Taylor was a key figure in the school’s Alpine Club and a trip leader for the Poly Escapes program, which provided outdoor training and trip-planning services for students. His love for snow sports and rock climbing was evident to all who knew him.
In a campus-wide email, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo University President Jeffrey D. Armstrong confirmed Taylor’s passing, expressing the university’s full support for his family and friends during this difficult time.
Authorities were alerted to the incident when the Monterey County Sheriff’s Department requested assistance in locating an overdue hiker at Salmon Creek Falls and the Pacific Coast Highway. San Luis Obispo County deputies later discovered Taylor’s body at the base of a 12-story waterfall, ruling the death as non-suspicious.
Heartbroken by the loss, Taylor’s close friend Kenneth Bevens struggled to come to terms with the news. The two had formed a strong bond over their shared love for the outdoors and photography, often being referred to as “Kenneth squared” due to their similar interests and hobbies.
Bevens fondly remembered their time together and the plans they had for the future, emphasizing Taylor’s positive and helpful nature.
As the Cal Poly San Luis Obispo community mourns the loss of a bright and passionate student, Kenneth Taylor’s memory and legacy continue to live on through those who knew and cherished him.
News
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Protesters reach an agreement to dismantle encampment
Protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee have agreed to end their pro-Palestinian encampment following an agreement reached with the school, university officials announced on Sunday. The encampment, which had been in place for two weeks, will be dismantled by Tuesday, marking the end of what was believed to be the last standing encampment at a Wisconsin college.
University officials had allowed the encampment to remain on a patch of lawn between Mitchell Hall and a busy thoroughfare on the campus’s southern boundary, opting not to involve law enforcement. This approach differed from the response at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where police were called in to remove tents after negotiations fell through. Despite initial efforts to disband the encampment, Wisconsin-Madison eventually reached an agreement with protesters to voluntarily dismantle the camp prior to commencement ceremonies.
Chancellor Mark Mone of Wisconsin-Milwaukee stated last Wednesday that the university had exhibited “the widest possible amount of patience and restraint.” However, he also cautioned that patience was wearing thin and hinted at potential action by the school. Following discussions with the UWM Popular University for Palestine Coalition, the university agreed to advocate for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, condemn the destruction of schools and universities in Gaza by Israeli forces, and hold meetings with protest leaders regarding university investments.
Additionally, the university pledged to urge the Water Council, a Milwaukee organization of water technology companies, to sever connections with two Israeli government-owned entities, Mekorot and the Israel Innovation Authority. Chancellor Mone serves as the treasurer on the Water Council’s board of directors.
In return for these commitments, the protesters agreed to dismantle the encampment beginning on Sunday and completing the process by Tuesday. They also agreed not to disrupt the university’s commencement ceremonies scheduled for Sunday. In a statement, the protesters expressed their satisfaction with the agreement, stating, “After hard fought edits and careful consideration by the coalition, we determined we had obtained all possible benefits from the encampment.”
The resolution of the encampment at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee represents a successful outcome of negotiations between university officials and protesters. By reaching a compromise that addresses the concerns of both parties, a peaceful resolution has been achieved, allowing for the encampment to be taken down without incident.