ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW.com) —

An altercation between protesters and counter-protesters over the weekend at the University of North Carolina Asheville has added to tensions over Israel’s war in Gaza that have popped up at many college campuses across the country.

Demonstrations at UNCA started Thursday on the campus quad, school officials said, though they had tapered off by Monday.

“Campus is quiet in the midst of final exams,” a school spokesperson said Monday just after noon.

But that wasn’t the case Sunday, May 5, when a fight broke out between demonstrators on the quad and counter-protesters just after 4 p.m. following an approved campus event, UNCA Chancellor Kimberly van Noort said in a letter Monday morning.

The situation required “immediate University staff intervention to ensure everyone’s safety and prevent continued disruption to normal campus operations,” the letter said.

During a walkthrough of buildings on the quad, staff found three non-university-affiliated individuals hiding in Rhoades Robinson Hall, which had already been locked for the evening, according to the letter.

About 7 p.m., university officials said use of the Quad would be limited to UNCA students, faculty and staff. Non-university users were told they would able to demonstrate in other areas of the campus, subject to reasonable time, place and manner requirements.

“Nearly all the demonstrators refused to comply, some verbally challenging the University’s ability to enforce its own policies,” the chancellor said in the letter. “They were soon ordered to disperse or be subject to arrest. The demonstration concluded without any arrests.”

Sunday’s troubles followed a Saturday in which demonstrators had to be ordered to leave the quad by 11 p.m.

When word got out that demonstrators planned to spend the night on the quad Saturday in violation of school policy, they were told use of the space after 11 p.m. would not be permitted and continued use would result in enforcement, including arrest.

The remaining demonstrators left the quad.

“The prudence of these safety concerns was exhibited shortly thereafter as two black bears, who had been roaming campus last night, made their way to the quad,” the chancellor said in a letter issued Sunday afternoon.

Van Noort said she expected regular activities and operations, including exams, to continue as planned and without disruption.

Van Noort’s recent statements and updates on the situation can be found HERE, HERE and HERE.