College presidents and leaders are taking a tougher stance on anti-Israel protests on campus, with several colleges recently expelling, warning, or suspending students for participating in disruptive protests deemed antisemitic.
Pomona College President Gabrielle Starr issued a warning to students, stating that participants in recent events faced immediate suspension. At least 150 people protested outside Starr's office at Pomona College, leading to arrests and subsequent warnings of disciplinary action.
Instances of antisemitism have been on the rise on college campuses since the conflict in Israel last year, prompting concerns among Jewish students about their safety. Some students have filed lawsuits against schools for not adequately addressing antisemitism.
University leaders are facing scrutiny for their handling of antisemitism. The presidents of Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania resigned after facing criticism for their responses to questions about antisemitism on their campuses.
Recent actions by colleges include the University of Michigan implementing a disruptive activity policy to penalize students who disrupt events and Vanderbilt University expelling students involved in a sit-in protest.
Columbia University suspended students who participated in an event featuring a speaker associated with a designated terrorist organization. The school emphasized the importance of upholding rules and policies to maintain respect within the community.
While some colleges are cracking down on anti-Israel protests, others are still dealing with chaotic demonstrations. Rutgers University faced disruptions during a town hall meeting regarding boycott and divestment referendums related to Israel.
Amidst these developments, universities are reevaluating their approach to protests. American University and Barnard College have banned certain types of demonstrations, while the University of Massachusetts Amherst restricted students who engaged in nonviolent protests from participating in study abroad programs.
