Harvard University administrators on Monday told protesters camped out on parts of the campus lawn that they will face “involuntary leave” from their schools if they do not leave the camp, meaning they will be banned from being on campus until they are reinstated.
“Continuing the camp poses a significant risk to the University’s educational environment,” said Harvard Interim President Alan. Garber wrote in a statement on Monday. “Those who participate in or perpetuate its continuation will be referred for involuntary removal from their schools.”
Students placed on involuntary leave are at risk of taking exams and are not permitted to remain in housing at Harvard or on campus, Garber said.
Monday marked the 12th consecutive day that demonstrators have remained at a camp in Harvard Yard to protest Israel’s war with the Palestinian militant group Hamas, according to university officials. The camp, which was attended by several students sleeping overnight, is part of a series of demonstrations that have rocked college campuses across the country for nearly three weeks.
Hundreds of students and teachers calling on their schools and the US to sever ties with Israel were arrested at these demonstrations, after administrators authorized local and state police forces to dismantle the camps.
The demonstrations, especially those that took the form of encampments or building seizures, have raised questions about whether they are legally permitted. Legal experts told The Hill last week that most universities, at least private ones, can impose “reasonable time, place and manner restrictions” that are designed to prevent disruptions and allow the campus to operate efficiently.
“The right to freedom of expression, including protest and dissent, is vital to the work of the research university. But it’s not unlimited,” Garber wrote. “It must be exercised in a time, place and manner that respects the right of members of our community to do their work, pursue their education and take advantage of the opportunities that a residential campus has to offer.”
School administrators have repeatedly warned individuals participating in the camp that they are violating university and school policies, Garber noted.
“The camp favors the voices of a few at the expense of the rights of many who have suffered disruptions to the way they learn and work at a critical time in the semester,” he added. “I call on camp participants to end the occupation of Harvard Yard.”
Garber said the school has received reports that students’ ability to move around campus is being disrupted by the camp, and that some in or supporting the camp have “bullied or harassed other members of our community.” The Hill has not been able to independently verify these claims.
He further alleged that some protesters at the camp “shouted” and “interfered” with the work of Harvard staff when asked to show their IDs.
He pointed to the upcoming school start and said the class of 2024 deserves to “enjoy this milestone uninterrupted and without hindrance.”
Columbia University, site of the first major camp last month, announced on Monday that it had canceled its main commencement ceremony due to “security concerns,” while the University of Southern California (USC) did the same after criticism over the pro-Palestine valedictorian. speech.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
