Anti-Israel protests have persisted on college campuses across the country for nearly three weeks, stemming from their origin at Columbia University on April 18. The demonstrations have resulted in over 2,600 arrests on 50 campuses, with protesters advocating for the severance of all ties with Israel due to its actions in Gaza.
University administrators have responded to the protests with varying degrees of strictness. Some institutions, such as UT Austin and Emory University, have taken swift action to address the situation, while others have exhibited more leniency.
However, the patience of many colleges is wearing thin as some protesters have become increasingly confrontational. At George Washington University, for example, anti-Israel demonstrators have even called for extreme measures like the use of a 'guillotine' against school administrators.
Efforts to resolve the protests have included a range of tactics, from attempts at appeasement to threats of disciplinary action. At the University of Chicago, a permissive approach initially adopted by administrators was later reversed due to safety concerns, leading to the dismantling of a protest encampment.
Similarly, the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, has faced challenges with instructors opposing the suspension of student protesters. The school's provost's office has warned of sanctions for instructors found to be withholding grades improperly.
Meanwhile, at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), protesters were given a deadline to vacate their encampment or face suspension. While many complied, some breached fencing, resulting in interim suspensions and disciplinary actions to ensure community safety.
Despite these measures, some schools like the Rhode Island School of Design and Wesleyan University have taken a more permissive stance, allowing ongoing protests and encampments to continue on their campuses.
