Harvard University’s faculty voted decisively on Monday to reinstate 13 seniors who were previously denied the opportunity to graduate by the administration for their participation in a pro-Palestinian “encampment.”
The Harvard Crimson reported:
Members of the Harvard Faculty of Arts and Sciences voted overwhelmingly to return 13 students to the list of degrees recommended for conferral in May. Initially, these students were barred from graduating at Commencement due to their involvement in the pro-Palestine encampment. The voting occurred during the FAS degree meeting on Monday afternoon, marking a significant counter to the Harvard College Administrative Board’s decision to suspend five students and place at least 20 others on probation for breaching University policies during the 20-day encampment in Harvard Yard. … The issue will next be reviewed by Harvard’s governing bodies: the Harvard Corporation and the Board of Overseers. As per the University’s governing statutes, following faculty approval, degrees are conferred “by vote of the Corporation, with the consent of the Overseers.”
This vote initiates a conflict between the faculty and the influential “Ad Board.”
The “encampment” caused significant disruption to campus life for nearly three weeks, staging protests during the final exam period. Jewish students reported feeling unsafe, citing the use of antisemitic, militant slogans.
Harvard conceded to several of the activists’ demands, including initiating discussions about divesting from Israel.
