Students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests last spring are now being punished by universities with lengthy suspensions and mandatory repentance essays.
As the fall semester begins, university officials are determining appropriate disciplinary actions to take against groups that gathered on campus and erected camps to demand that their schools cut financial ties with Israel.
At the University of Southern California, where protesters repeatedly clashed with police, students are now experiencing a range of consequences for their behavior.
Third-year law student Elizabeth Howell-Egan participated in two pro-Palestinian camps on campus more than four months ago.
Students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests last spring are now being punished by universities with lengthy suspensions and mandatory repentance essays.
At the University of Southern California, where protesters repeatedly clashed with police, students are now experiencing a range of consequences for their behavior.
Although Howell-Egan evaded arrest, her punishment at the hands of university administrators is, she claims, worse.
As part of a “resolution process” for alleged violations of USC’s codes of conduct during the protests, the law student is now banned from campus and classes. Her suspension could last until next spring.
“USC is really leaning into the idea that the process is the punishment,” Howell-Egan told the Los Angeles Times.
According to the school, the third-year law student was a leader of the protests, although she maintains that her role was limited to public liaison with the police.
“I don’t know if it’s meant to make me regret our activism, but it’s really just strengthening my beliefs,” Howell-Egan said.
Another part of the resolution process is that students must write an essay in which they contemplate their past actions.
Another part of the resolution process is that students must write an essay in which they contemplate their past actions.
USC’s Office of Community Expectations has directed Howell-Egan to write a four-page reflection due in September.
In the essay, she is expected to share “personal thoughts, experiences and perspectives” on the protest and “how she might make different decisions in the future.”
According to the Los Angeles TimesStudents are prohibited from using the papers as spaces in which to “justify” their actions or “evaluate the actions of others.”
Howell-Egan had hoped there would be some consequences for her actions, but she considers this resolution process to be “absurd.”
For the third year, a hearing date has yet to be scheduled with the school, raising further questions about when he will be able to return to the classroom.
In their essays, students are expected to share “personal thoughts, experiences and perspectives” on the protests.
Some students at USC, as well as other California universities such as UCLA, UC Irvine and Cal Poly Humboldt, said the cases against them are extremely vague.
Some students at USC, as well as other California universities such as UCLA, UC Irvine and Cal Poly Humboldt, told the Los Angeles Times that the cases against them are extremely vague.
Some graduates also revealed that they have not been able to receive their diplomas because registration blocks have not been lifted.
Universities have wide latitude in determining internal charges against student protesters, experts said. Each university operates with its own standards of evidence, length of investigations and punishments.
Brian Glick, director of student conduct and community standards at Adelphi University, said USC’s actions are normal.
Provisional suspensions, interviews with administrative officials, panels leading to final decisions and repentance trials are standard procedures, he said.
Universities have wide latitude in determining internal charges against student protesters, experts say
According to USC’s website, 74 students were cited for campus violations between the two camps, leading to interim suspensions over the summer for some of those involved.
“As long as a university… treats one type of protest the same as others when it comes to violations that disrupt the peace and follows its own policies equally for students, they are within the standards,” Glick said. Los Angeles Times.
USC charged students based on a “preponderance of evidence,” a standard followed by other major California universities.
This type of standard is similar to the one used in civil trials and requires a much lower standard than the “beyond a reasonable doubt” standard used in criminal cases.
According to USC’s website, 74 students were cited for campus violations between the two camps, leading to interim suspensions over the summer for some of those involved.
In May, the university was forced to cancel its graduation following days of unrest on campus over chaotic protests over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
In April, protests broke out across campus.
In May, the university was forced to cancel its graduation following days of unrest on campus over chaotic protests over the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas.
In April, Asna Tabassum, USC’s highest-ranking student, was banned from giving a speech during the university’s graduation ceremony after she allegedly made anti-Semitic posts on social media calling for the “complete abolition” of Israel.
A week later, protests broke out across campus and students set up their own camp in Gaza.
Police soon clashed with the protesters, breaking up their demonstrations into tents.
The students responded by throwing objects at the officers, including a rock and water bottles.
Students set up camps on campus and police were eventually called in to dismantle them.
At one point, a police car was surrounded by students when a protester was arrested, and police eventually released the individual into the crowd.
USC then sent out a notice saying the Los Angeles Police Department had been called in to help clear the campus.
“If you are in the center of campus, please leave; the Los Angeles Police Department will arrest individuals who do not disperse,” the university said.
USC Chancellor Andrew Guzman sent a campus-wide email saying the protesters “threatened the safety of our officers and the campus community,” he said. The Los Angeles Times.
USC sent out a notification that the Los Angeles Police Department has been called in to help clear the campus.
“We have well-established policies regarding limits on the time, place and manner of free expression,” Guzman said.
Rachel, a USC humanities student, received a provisional suspension for participating in a camp. In order to return to school for the fall semester, she had to sign the student handbook and write a letter of apology.
She told the Los Angeles Times who fulfilled both requests, in order to be able to attend his classes.
“I can write whatever they want me to write,” Rachel said. “But ultimately, it doesn’t change my values.”