New York University (NYU) students involved in pro-Palestinian protests this spring are facing disciplinary actions, including being assigned a 49-page workbook focused on ethical decision-making. The protests stemmed from Israel's response to a Hamas attack in October. Over 100 students were arrested during a police clearance of an encampment on April 22, with additional arrests made at a smaller encampment on May 3.
As part of the disciplinary process, some students are required to write a reflection paper addressing questions about their values and decision-making alignment. Others must complete the 'Ethos Integrity Series,' which involves ranking values and exploring how they impact daily life and decisions.
One section of the workbook is based on an episode of 'The Simpsons,' where Lisa cheats on a test and Principal Skinner tries to cover it up for a grant. Students are prompted to consider ethical questions related to the characters' actions.
A group at NYU, Faculty & Staff for Justice in Palestine, criticized the assignments, pointing out restrictions on justifying actions or challenging regulations. They argue that students are unable to express values such as freedom of expression or opposition to genocide, which are relevant in the context of the protests.
An NYU spokesperson defended the disciplinary process as educational, emphasizing the goal of reflecting on how students' values impact the university community. Plans are in place to review and potentially improve the quality of the assignments in the future.
