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Universities have implemented stricter regulations and penalties for pro-Palestinian activism on campuses, resulting in a decrease in protest events from 3,000 in the spring to just under 950 this semester. It appears that these measures are effectively curbing protest activities.
Written by Isabelle Taft
Higher education institutions have implemented stricter regulations regarding protests, increased security measures by locking campus entrances, and enforced more severe consequences following the disturbances caused by pro-Palestinian protests and encampments in the previous spring.
It appears that the efforts are paying off.
According to data collected by the Nonviolent Action Lab at Harvard University’s Ash Center, there have been close to 950 protest events at universities this semester, which is significantly less than the 3,000 protests that occurred last semester. The New York Times reported that around 50 individuals have been arrested during protests on college campuses this school year, a decrease from the over 3,000 arrests made last semester.
During the recent student protests, administrators have been strictly implementing new rules that were put in place following the unrest in the spring. This has led to unexpected situations, especially at universities known for their history of student activism.
Harvard temporarily prohibited a group of students and faculty from entering libraries due to their participation in silent protests called "study-ins" against the war in Gaza. This action was taken despite a previous protest in December 2023 not resulting in any disciplinary action. Indiana University Bloomington disciplined some individuals who took part in candlelight vigils after 11 p.m. as part of a new policy against expressive activities during late hours. At the University of Pennsylvania, administrators and campus police asked vigil attendees to relocate as they had not followed the new rules for reserving space.
At Montclair State University in New Jersey, there is a weekly demonstration where protesters hold signs with pictures of children who have died in Gaza and the phrase "We mourn." The number of police officers present at these demonstrations is often greater than the number of participants.
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