Member News

Thirty-three pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested this early morning on The George Washington University campus in the District of Columbia as police moved in to clear an encampment. Police arrested dozens more protesters on the Fashion Institute of Technology campus in Manhattan.
 
In addition, the Education Department clarifies how exactly colleges and universities can comply with federal civil rights law as campuses continue to see antiwar protests and encampments and Jewish students continue to report harassment and antisemitic incidents.  In a Dear Colleague letter released Tuesday, the Department’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) explained what constitutes a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The guidance letter lays out nine examples of conduct that could raise concerns under Title VI. The guidance is not binding and doesn’t dictate the outcome of an investigation, OCR cautioned. It said the 20-page document is aimed at providing clarity to colleges, universities, students and the broader public.  It was the Department’s fourth letter on campus antisemitism in the past year.
 
University of Chicago President Paul Alivisatos explained why he chose to end the campus encampment in Chicago in an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal.
 
Below is a sampling of today’s coverage of the ongoing campus turmoil:
 
Dear Colleague Letter on Antisemitism
U.S. Department of Education (May 7, 2024)
 
Education Department Steps Up Efforts to Combat Antisemitism
Inside Higher Ed (May 8, 2024)
 
Survey Shows College Students Largely Support Pro-Palestinian Protests
Inside Higher Ed (May 8, 2024)
 
Yes, the Encampment at Your College Could Help Trigger a Federal Investigation
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 7, 2024)
 
‘Call the Philosophy Department Office and Tell Them I Have Been Arrested’
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 7, 2024)
 
Gaza Protests Are Coming for Commencement. Here’s How Colleges Are Preparing.
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 7, 2024)
 
On Campus and in Gaza, Chaos Threatens Biden’s Campaign
The Wall Street Journal (May 8, 2024)
 
Police Clear Pro-Palestinian Protest Camp and Arrest 33 at DC Campus as Mayor’s Hearing Is Canceled
Associated Press (May 8, 2024)
 
33 Arrested as D.C. Police Clear George Washington University Encampment
The Washington Post (May 8, 2024)
 
U-Va. President, Other Leaders Defend Steps That Led to Arrests at Protest
The Washington Post (May 8, 2024)
 
Conservative Judges Say They Will Boycott Columbia University Students
The Washington Post (May 8, 2024)
 
Speaker Mike Johnson Says U.S. Universities Are ‘Hostile’ to Jews
The New York Times (May 8, 2024)
 
U.S.C. Tries to Manage ‘Train Wreck’ of a Graduation
The New York Times (May 8, 2024)
 
How Parents of College Seniors Are Reacting to Campus Disruptions
The New York Times (May 8, 2024)
 
Occidental, Protesters Sign Pact: Camp Ends, and College Will Vote on Divesting From Israel
Los Angeles Times (May 8, 2024)
 
Leader of Hamas-cheering Radical Activist Group Manolo De Los Santos Hauled Away by NYPD at FIT Encampment
New York Post (May 8, 2024)
 
FIT Anti-Israel Encampment Cleared as NYPD Arrests Dozens of Protesters Who Refused to Leave
New York Post (May 8, 2024)
 
Masked Anti-Israel GWU Protesters Chant ‘Guillotine’ During Disturbing Demonstration: ‘To the Motherf–King Gallows!’
New York Post (May 8, 2024)
 
Campus Protests on Gaza Split Democrats, Unite Republicans Amid Fears of Violence
USA Today (May 8, 2024)
 
 
 
Why I Ended the University of Chicago Protest Encampment – Presidential Opinion
The Wall Street Journal (May 8, 2024)
 
How Colleges Should Handle Campus Protests – Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (May 8, 2024)
 
Campus Protests: Free Palestine! Free Pizza! – Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (May 8, 2024)
 
The Crackdown on Campus Protests Has Gone Way Too Far – Commentary
The Washington Post (May 8, 2024)
 
A Thank-You Note to the Campus Protesters – Commentary
The New York Times (May 8, 2024)
 

Pro-Palestinian protests continue to roil college campuses across the county, including:
 
Chicago police cleared an encampment at the University of Chicago early Tuesday morning.  No arrests were reported.
 
Pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside the main administrative building at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, R.I., on Monday night, protest organizers said. The school said its president and provost were meeting with the demonstrators.
 
Emory University has moved the site its commencement from the university Quadrangle to the Gas South District in Duluth, GA, citing “concerns about safety and security.”  Both Columbia University and the University of Southern California have cancelled their main commencement ceremonies but will still award degrees by school. 
 
At Pomona College, pro-Palestinian protesters are attempting to block the institution from setting up for graduation by holding a protest near the stage and demanding the university divest from companies with ties to Israel.
 
Emerson College has asked the Suffolk County District Attorney not to pursue charges against pro-Palestinian protesters arrested on campus last week.
 
Below is a selection of news and commentary articles on the campus turmoil from across the country:
 
Universities Consider Divestment Demands
Inside Higher Ed (May 7, 2024)
 
Protests Come for Prospective Students
Inside Higher Ed (May 7, 2024)
 
Commencement Changes at Columbia and Emory
Inside Higher Ed (May 7, 2024)
 
Campus Protests: Police Remove Encampment at University of Chicago (Live)
The New York Times (May 7, 2024)
 
U. of C. Police Clear Protest Encampment Early Tuesday, Days After President Announces Intention to Intervene
Chicago Tribune (May 7, 2024)
 
Tensions Flare Between DePaul Pro-Palestine Encampment and Counterprotesters
Chicago Tribune (May 7, 2024)
 
Protesters Occupy Building at Rhode Island School of Design
The New York Times (May 7, 2024)
 
More Than 100 Arrested at UCLA, UC San Diego as Campuses Step Up Security
Los Angeles Times (May 7, 2024)
 
Emerson Urging Suffolk DA to Not Charge Pro-Palestinian Protesters ‘Rewards Their Disruptive Conduct,’ ADL Leader Says
Boston Herald (May 7, 2024)
 
Police Block Off MIT Pro-Palestine Encampment, Administration Threatens to Suspend Student Protestors
Boston Herald (May 7, 2024)
 
Despite Threat of Suspension, Pro-Palestinian Encampment at MIT Remains Intact
MassLive.com (May 7, 2024)
 
To Find Masked Mob Members Who Attacked UCLA Camp, Police Using Jan. 6 Tactics
Los Angeles Times (May 7, 2024)
 
The American Paradox of Protest: Celebrated and Condemned, Welcomed and Muzzled
Associated Press (May 5, 2024)
 
Pro-Palestinian Protesters Resist Order to Clear Encampment at M.I.T.
The New York Times (May 6, 2024)
 
College Campus Protests: What Students Should Know Before Taking Action
U.S. News & World Report (May 7, 2024)
 
 
College Presidents Behaving Badly – Commentary
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 7, 2024)
 
The Chicago Principles Are Undemocratic - Commentary
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 7, 2024)
 
Campus Protests: Free Palestine! Free Pizza! - Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (May 7, 2024)
 
Senators Need to Stop the Anti-Semitism Awareness Act – Commentary
The New York Times (May 7, 2024)
 

St. Ambrose and Mount Mercy Universities, two Roman Catholic institutions that lie about 80 miles apart from each other in Iowa, are tying their fates together, announcing Monday that they are pursuing a “strategic combination” designed to broaden educational opportunities for students, reduce their time to degree, and potentially save costs.

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology said on Monday that it would no longer require candidates applying for faculty positions to write diversity statements, which have been denounced by conservatives and free-speech advocates as forcing a kind of ideological conformity. In their statements, generally a page-long, candidates were required to explain how they would enhance the university’s commitment to diversity.
 

Columbia University announced the cancellation of its main commencement ceremony this morning citing weeks of turmoil amid pro-Palestinian protests on and around the campus.  School-level graduation ceremonies will proceed.  Columbia joins the University of Southern California is cancelling their main commencement ceremony.
 
Nearly 2,500 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested, including students and employees, on campuses across the country.
 
Below is a selection of news and commentary articles on the campus turmoil from across the country:
 
Universities Face Misinformation Amid Pro-Palestinan Protests
Inside Higher Ed (May 6, 2024)

UCLA, Yale and Michigan Up Next on Congressional Hot Seat
Inside Higher Ed (May 6, 2024)

After Weeks of Protests, Columbia Cancels Main Commencement Ceremony
The New York Times (May 6, 2024)
 
Columbia Cancels Main Commencement Ceremony After Weeks of Protests: Live Updates
USA Today (May 6, 2024)
 
Columbia University Cancels Main Commencement After Weeks of Pro-Palestinian Protests
Associated Press (May 6, 2024)
 
UChicago Says Free Speech Is Sacred. Some Students See Hypocrisy.
The New York Times (May 6, 2024)

The Best Strategy to Address Campus Unrest
Politico.com (May 6, 2024)
 
Hundreds of College Protesters Arrested Across the U.S.: What to Know
The Washington Post (May 5, 2024)
 
College Students Are Protesting Schools’ Ties to Israel. Here’s Why.
The Washington Post (May 5, 2024)
 
Tensions Flare Between Depaul Pro-Palestine Encampment and Counterprotesters
Chicago Tribune (May 5, 2024)
 
At U. of C. encampment, Jewish Organizers Explain Significance of Their Anti-Zionist Shabbat Service
Chicago Tribune (May 5, 2024)
 
UCLA Creates High-Level Post to Oversee Campus Safety After Security Lapses in Mob Attack
Los Angeles Times (May 5, 2024)

Fraternity Members at UNC Go Viral — and Reap Donations — for Guarding the Flag During Protest
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 3, 2024)
 
Cardona Condemns ‘Abhorrent’ Incidents of Antisemitism as Biden Administration Ramps Up Response to Campus Protests
CNN.com (May 3, 2024)
 
Striking Deals to End Campus Protests, Some Colleges Invite Discussion of Their Investments
Associated Press (May 3, 2024)
 
Police Clear Tents and Arrest N.Y.U. and New School Protesters
The New York Times (May 3, 2024)
 
134 Protesters Arrested on 2 Campuses Had No Connection to Schools, NYPD Says
The Washington Post (May 3, 2024)
 
Who Is Minouche Shafik? Protests Put Spotlight on Columbia’s President.
The Washington Post (May 3, 2024)
 
Two University Staffers Among 44 Anti-Israel Protesters Arrested Inside Barricaded Columbia Building
New York Post (May 3, 2024)
 
 
Israel Divestment Is a Legal Risk for College Trustees - Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (May 6, 2024)
 
Getting Back to Basics on Free Speech – Commentary
The New York Times (May 6, 2024)
 
The Adults Are Still in Charge at the University of Florida - Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (May 3, 2024)
 
Why Did My College Call the Police on Me? - Commentary
The Chronicle of Higher Education (May 3, 2024)
 
I'm a Student Who Was Arrested at a Columbia Protest. I am Not a Hero, Nor am I a Villain. - Commentary
USA Today (May 3, 2024)
 
College Idiots Calling for ‘Intifada’ Have No Idea How Many Innocents Have Died From That Word - Commentary
New York Post (May 2, 2024)
 
Biden Fails the Campus Protest Test - Commentary
The Wall Street Journal (May 2, 2024)