As students return to colleges in the U.S., administrators are gearing up for a potential resurgence in activism against the war in Gaza. Some schools are implementing rules to restrict protests that gained momentum last spring.
Over the summer break, student demonstrations against the Israel-Hamas conflict paused, allowing both protesters and higher education officials to regroup for the upcoming fall semester.
At Columbia University, President Minouche Shafik resigned amidst scrutiny for her handling of pro-Palestinian demonstrations. The university confirmed the resignation of three deans following disparaging texts exchanged during a campus discussion on Jewish life and antisemitism.
Universities are imposing new regulations, including banning encampments, limiting protest durations, designating protest spaces, and restricting campus access. Critics argue that some measures may impede free speech.
Harvard University is considering prohibitions on overnight camping, chalk messages, and unapproved signage, as revealed in a draft document obtained by a student newspaper.
Student activists in the U.S. are committed to continuing their protests, fueled by Gaza's escalating death toll, surpassing 40,000 according to the territory’s Health Ministry.
Expectations are high for protests to resume in the fall, with some students facing disciplinary actions over last spring’s demonstrations. Mahmoud Khalil, a lead negotiator for Columbia student protesters, emphasized ongoing activism against Israeli apartheid.
Following violent clashes and arrests during protests earlier this year, some students still await legal decisions. Shafik's resignation and subsequent restrictions on campus access signal a shift in Columbia's leadership.
Pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia began with tent encampments during Shafik’s congressional testimony in April, leading to nationwide demonstrations calling for divestment from Israel.
Despite a quiet summer, recent controversies, including the resignation of university leaders, underscore the ongoing impact of campus activism.
As colleges brace for potential protests, the aftermath of last spring’s demonstrations continues to shape campus dynamics and administrative responses.
