An MSU Department of Police and Public Safety officer present at the scene, Police Lieutenant Steven Brandman, filed the complaint to MSU’s Office of Student Support and Accountability.

The complaint alleged that Folts made MSU President Kevin Guskiewicz feel unsafe during the protest, though the president told The State News he had nothing to do with the charges being filed.

These charges against Folts have sparked an intense debate across campus since they have come to light. Multiple student groups and professors have come out in support of Folts – at the most recent board meeting over a dozen public commenters criticized the university, arguing the charges against Folts set a dangerous precedent for free speech on campus. 

Folts appeared before MSU’s Student Faculty Staff Hearing Board on Tuesday, where he denied responsibility for both charges. After a few days of deliberation, the board informed Folts Friday afternoon that they had found him not responsible.

"I'm feeling good," Folts said. "The complainant has to provide evidence and arguments that beyond a reasonable doubt the respondent is responsible for these elect violations – and he fell woefully short, by a mile."

Although Folts is grateful for this result, he said larger questions surrounding the legitimacy of the hearing should be asked. He said that the evidence Brandman provided was not sufficient and was "purely his opinion and his perspective."

And Guskiewicz, who Brandman references several times in the original complaint, was not present at the hearing according to Folts.

"To me, it does feel like retaliation, considering there was no involvement from the alleged victim: Kevin Guskiewicz, throughout this process," he said.

The hearing board, in a communication to Folts regarding their decision, wrote that Brandman’s body camera footage, which was used as evidence in the hearing, "demonstrated that the Respondent was not intimidating or impeding any individual."

The hearing board’s decision to find Folts not responsible for intimidation also stemmed from a lack of direct statements or evidence provided "of anyone being intimidated or impacted by the Respondent’s actions."

Regarding the charge of disrupting university functions, the hearing board also wrote that Brandman did not present any direct evidence regarding the alleged disruption.

"The Complainant himself said that the Respondent was compliant with any directives, which was also evidenced within the body camera footage," the hearing board wrote.

James Madison Professor Jennifer Goett, who served as a witness for Folts during the hearing, said she is very glad with the board’s conclusion. To her, the charges against Folts were unwarranted. 

"The key thing for me was Eli's behavior didn't stand out from any of the other dozens and dozens and dozens of student protesters who are following their conscience," Goett said.

What concerns Goett beyond the charges is the lack of transparency surrounding them. 

"It does appear that (Brandman) did it of his own volition, but I don't know that to be the case – because there's no transparency, and the upper administration has not spoken on the matter beyond to say that they were unaware of it," she said.

MSU DPPS Deputy Chief of Police Chris Rozman told The State News in an email that DPPS followed the University’s "established student conduct referral system."

"DPPS filed a complaint to review the students’ alleged conduct using the University designated conduct system and the student was not charged with any criminal violations," Rozman wrote.

He added that MSU DPPS does not comment on individual student cases due to confidentiality and privacy rights.

MSU Police Chief Mike Yankowski, in a statement provided by Rozman, said DPPS followed the University’s process for student conduct review and respects the findings of the hearing board.

"DPPS will continue to demonstrate constitutional and ethical policing by ensuring that all individuals have the freedom to express their rights to free speech while also ensuring the safety of others and operations of the MSU Community," Yankowski wrote.

MSU spokesperson Emily Guerrant declined to comment on the verdict.

After the hearing, Folts said he spent the following days in a "constant state of anxiety" waiting for the result. And although that wait has ended, Folts said this entire situation has put a strain on his life. 

"I took time away from family and friends," Folts said. "I was not able to focus on my work and getting a plan for post graduation. I wasn't able to focus on the work needed to graduate in the first place."

With the two-month-ordeal closed, Folts said he feels frustrated with the whole saga, but is happy with the results.

"It was all pointless, really," Folts said.