As universities prepare for the 2024 graduation season, they face the challenge of balancing campus safety with free speech rights amidst ongoing tensions and protests. This commencement season has been marked by demonstrations and encampments on campuses across the country, particularly in response to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The University of Michigan has outlined rules for upcoming ceremonies, emphasizing a ban on banners and flags and designated areas for protests. The University of Southern California canceled a planned speech by its Muslim valedictorian, sparking outrage and further protests. Columbia University has witnessed a large protest encampment on its main lawn, where graduating students and families are expected to gather next month.
Universities are struggling to strike a balance between ensuring campus safety and upholding free speech rights. Some institutions have resorted to stricter measures, including suspensions and expulsions, to deter disruptions. Columbia University President Minouche Shafik emphasized the need to prevent groups from dictating terms and disrupting milestones like graduations.
Despite these measures, protests have continued. Pro-Palestinian demonstrators have set up encampments and called for actions such as a cease-fire and divestment from defense companies. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, protesters have raised concerns about funding from Israel’s Ministry of Defense to university projects with military objectives.
The intense emotions surrounding the conflict have created an unsettling climate for both Jewish and Muslim students. A report by the University of Chicago Project on Security and Threats indicates that over half of Jewish and Muslim students, and a fifth of all college students, feel unsafe on campus due to their stances on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
President Joe Biden is among the commencement speakers who may encounter protests during his appearances at Morehouse College and the U.S. Military Academy. The Anti-Defamation League has urged college presidents to take decisive action to ensure smooth and safe graduation ceremonies.
Several universities have implemented revised protest rules. American University has banned indoor protests, while Harvard has restricted protests to outdoor areas. The University of Michigan has drafted a proposed “Disruptive Activity Policy” that could result in suspension or expulsion for violations.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan has expressed concerns about the vagueness and overbreadth of the proposed policy, arguing that it risks chilling free speech and expression. However, university presidents have emphasized that disruptions will not be tolerated while recognizing the value of protest.
At Vanderbilt University, anti-Israel demonstrators stormed the university president’s office, leading to the expulsion of three students. The University of Southern California’s decision to cancel its valedictorian’s speech has raised fears that schools may succumb to pressure and erode free speech. Civil rights advocates warn that such actions could have negative consequences for Muslim students and the tradition of free speech at graduation ceremonies.
