University of Minnesota leaders have tweaked their public statement about the death of Alex Pretti after online observers on both sides criticized their written response on the death of the protester at the hands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers.

Pretti is a 2011 graduate of the University of Minnesota, which released a 315-word statement Jan. 24 that appeared to seek to stay within the system’s nearly one-year-old Board of Regent’s resolution establishing an institutional neutrality policy.

But a portion of the statement by the university has been amended, the Chronicle of Higher Education reported:

The university appears to have modified its original statement, dropping a phrase that commenters criticized as bothsidesism: “We recognize that many are feeling fear, sadness, and confusion as we navigate a complex and challenging moment.” In its place, the statement reads, “There are no guidebooks to offer a clear path through this time.”

In a written response, a Minnesota spokeswoman said that “our focus is to provide a safe space for learning, where students and faculty can debate and process a range of emotions and perspectives within a supportive community where all feel welcome.” University officials did not answer questions about the statement or any changes from The Chronicle.

As for Minnesota’s overall statement, “it falls into the category of thoughts and prayers,” Brian Rosenberg, president emeritus of Macalester College, told the Chronicle. “It sounds like it was written by a communications office to acknowledge what happened without saying anything.”

Pretti, 37, an intensive-care nurse, was shot and killed on Jan. 24 by ICE officers in a confrontation during an enforcement operation in which the Minneapolis resident was armed. There are conflicting reports about exactly what happened and an investigation is ongoing.

Hundreds of University of Minnesota students on Monday walked out of class and protested ICE’s presence in the Twin Cities, saying the agency’s presence makes them feel unsafe, Reuters reported.

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