Students accused of supporting Palestine blocked from graduating by Harvard board, going against faculty decision

The Harvard University administration is standing firm in its decision to sanction a group of 13 students who took part in pro-Palestine protests, preventing them from receiving their degrees and graduating from the institution.

The Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) had attempted to persuade the Harvard Corporation to allow the students to graduate, but their request was denied on May 22 in an unprecedented move.

“Because the students involved in Monday’s amendment are not in good standing, we cannot in good conscience vote to award them degrees at this time,” as stated by the Harvard Corporation.

This decision has brought to light tensions between the faculty and administration over the series of protests and encampments related to the Gaza conflict seen on college campuses this year.

Following a proposal by the FAS on May 20, where over 100 members voted to grant the students graduation despite their actions and subsequent disciplinary procedures, the administration, having expelled the students the week prior, vetoed this decision on the grounds of the students’ lack of good standing.

This veto is currently hindering the students from completing the graduation process.

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The conflict has disrupted the usual process of agreement between faculty and administration, potentially laying the groundwork for faculty opposition.

Last week, Harvard’s administration took action against over two dozen students, including the group of 13, for their involvement in a pro-Palestine campus encampment that concluded earlier this month. Five students are facing suspension, while over 20 are being sanctioned.

However, the Harvard Corporation mentioned that the affected students could still receive their degrees pending the outcome of their disciplinary cases, following completion of the normal university process.

“We deeply care about all members of our community—students, faculty, staff, researchers, and alumni—and we have selected a course of action that aligns with our responsibilities and establishes a fair review process for our students,” as stated by the corporation.

This year witnessed major protests and encampments on numerous college campuses across the country in response to what was perceived as an inadequate response from the Biden administration to the Gaza conflict. More than 2,000 participants were arrested after clashes with police during the protests.

Columbia University in New York attracted significant attention, as it was the site of the first major encampment that drew visits from members of Congress on both ends of the political spectrum, resulting in multiple student suspensions.

Prompted by protesters seizing control of a campus building, police intervened to disband the encampment.

NTD reached out to The Harvard Corporation and the FAS for additional comments, but no response was received by press time.