UCLA Considers Withholding Degrees from Pro-Palestinian Student Protesters

‍

Meta:

‍

Summary:

Boston Brand Media brings you the latest about UCLA. UCLA is contemplating a policy to withhold degrees from students participating in pro-Palestinian protests. This potential move has ignited a campus-wide debate, with concerns about free speech and academic freedom at the forefront. The university's actions have drawn significant attention, raising questions about the balance between maintaining campus order and respecting students' rights to express their political views. This situation continues to evolve as stakeholders voice their opinions on the matter.

The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) has reportedly issued warnings to discipline and possibly withhold degrees from over 55 students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, as indicated by faculty members who support the students.

After being arrested during a police raid on the Gaza solidarity encampment on May 2, students received letters from administrators last Friday accusing them of violating the student code of conduct. The letters, which have been seen by the Guardian, state that the students did not comply with police orders to disperse and were involved in actions such as "disorderly behavior," "disturbing the peace," and "failure to comply."

Boston Brand Media also found that the students have been asked to attend a meeting to address the accusations against them. The letters also warn that degrees will not be conferred until any pending allegations and assigned sanctions and conditions have been resolved.

The letters also caution that failure to schedule meetings by June 5th or missing appointments will result in the administration placing a "hold" on their records. This hold would prevent them from registering for future classes, obtaining grades, or graduating. Some students have reported that "active holds" have already been placed on their online accounts, accompanied by a warning stating, "you are prevented from graduating."

Additionally, the letters state that the university has not yet made a "final decision" regarding their cases, and students will have the opportunity during the meeting to explain their perspective on the situation.

UCLA spokesperson Eddie North-Hager declined to comment, citing confidentiality policies. He referred to the university's disciplinary procedures, which outline various potential sanctions for code violations, including mandatory apologies, exclusion from university housing, and suspension.

These warnings are part of a broader trend where university administrations and law enforcement in the US are increasingly cracking down on student protesters. Over the past two months, students have been setting up encampments to demand that their institutions divest from companies involved in military weapons production and supporting Israel's actions in Gaza.

In a recent incident, New York University received criticism for requiring student protesters to write a reflective essay as a form of punishment.

UCLA, a leading public university in the United States, has come under intense scrutiny following a violent clash between pro-Palestinian and counter-protesters at a solidarity encampment on April 30. Despite escalating attacks, police remained passive for hours. Subsequently, police cleared the encampment and arrested members and organizers, prompting widespread criticism from faculty, with some even calling for the chancellor's resignation. The university's response led to graduate student workers going on strike. UCLA's chancellor expressed regret for not dismantling the encampment earlier, acknowledging hindsight's clarity. Faculty supporting the disciplined students are concerned about the potential life-altering consequences for these individuals standing up for their beliefs.

Students who were arrested have not been formally charged with any crimes and it is uncertain whether local prosecutors will pursue charges. Faculty members helping these students are worried that the disciplinary meetings could expose them to legal risks. They fear that if students confess to certain actions during these meetings, their statements could be used against them in court by prosecutors.

Vincent Doehr, a PhD student in political science who received one of the letters, expressed that the communications from administrators have caused significant anxiety among the students. He stated, "These are students already suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder from having been attacked and subjected to the violence of the state on behalf of the UCLA administration, and now they have to go through another disciplinary process."

Doehr believes that the administration's response is not driven by concerns for student safety but rather by a desire to suppress pro-Palestinian activism. He said, "The university wants to silence students speaking about a genocide."

Marie Salem, a graduate student and media liaison for the encampment who also received a letter, described the disciplinary process as an "intimidation tactic." She noted that targeted students feel a "sense of abandonment," similar to what they felt during the attacks by counter-protesters and police.

Salem restated the protesters' demand for the university to disclose its financial ties, stating, "This shows us that the university again would rather hurt their students than even consider divesting."

Nour Joudah, a professor in Asian American studies supporting students facing discipline, highlighted the particular stress faced by graduating seniors, scholarship recipients, and international students with visas. Joudah, who is part of a UCLA Faculty for Justice in Palestine group, emphasized that despite the risk of discipline, students have continued to push for divestment. Joudah, who has lost family in Gaza, urged the administration to engage with students' divestment demands.

"Even when their physical safety is under threat, when they are being arrested and subjected to code-of-conduct meetings, they continue to not center themselves and to recenter Gaza – to insist that the most and only important thing is the end to genocide and that the university not be complicit in the Israeli occupation."

For questions or comments write to writers@bostonbrandmedia.com

Source: theguardian‍