The Harvard University administration is standing firm in its decision to sanction a group of 13 students who participated in pro-Palestine protests and prevent them from receiving their degrees and graduating from the institution.
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) had pushed the Harvard Corporation to allow the students to graduate, but their request was denied on May 22 in an unprecedented move.
“Because the students are not in good standing due to recent events, we cannot responsibly grant them degrees at this time,” stated the Harvard Corporation.
This decision has exposed tensions between the faculty and administration regarding the protests and encampments related to the Gaza conflict on college campuses this year.
Following a recommendation by the FAS on May 20, where over 100 members voted to let the students graduate despite disciplinary actions, the administration’s decision to expel the students was overturned the week prior.
This veto now hinders the students from completing their graduation process.
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This situation has disrupted the typical collaboration between the faculty and administration, where they usually agree on various matters, potentially leading to a faculty uprising.
Last week, Harvard’s administration moved to hold more than two dozen students, including the group of 13, accountable for their involvement in a pro-Palestine campus encampment that concluded recently. Five students face suspension, while over 20 will be sanctioned.
Despite this, the Harvard Corporation stated that the affected students may still receive their degrees pending the outcome of their disciplinary cases following the university’s standard process.
“We value every member of our community—students, faculty, staff, researchers, and alumni—and have chosen a path that aligns with our responsibilities while ensuring a fair review process for our students,” wrote the corporation.
This year, college campuses nationwide witnessed significant protests and encampments in response to the Gaza conflict, with over 2,000 participants arrested as some clashes with law enforcement occurred.
Columbia University in New York became a focal point for political attention, with a major encampment that resulted in visits from members of Congress and numerous student suspensions.
Police intervened to disperse the encampment at Columbia University after protesters took control of a campus building.
NTD reached out to The Harvard Corporation and the FAS for additional comments but did not receive a response before the deadline.
