(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some faculty at the University of Chicago are questioning a decision to withhold diplomas for five students involved in a pro-Palestinian tent camp while their cases are considered.
Law Professor Genevieve Lakier, standing with other faculty members and students on the Quad — where the tent camp had been — said it is difficult to understand the university’s message “as anything other than punishment for the content of the students’ speech.”
“The message it sends to students is that their participation in non-violent protest is a sufficiently grave offense that it may result in the loss of their diploma,” Lakier said.
She went on to say, “it represents the most egregious kind of violation of freedom of speech the university can engage in.”
Youssef Hasweh, who identified himself as a Palestinian student, is among those having diplomas withheld.
“Here at the University of Chicago, the free-speech university, talking about Palestine is not free, in fact, it comes with a very, very hefty price.”
He said, “after four years, I’ve lost every drop of sweetness in what was meant to be a bittersweet departure.”
A statement from the university says it “adheres to a well-defined, faculty-led disciplinary system for disruptive conduct.”
Mathematics Professor Denis Hirshfeldt, asserts that the university meddled with the system.
“This would be like someone with interest in a legal case deciding they have the power to remove the judge of the case and install a new one and then claim that whatever decision arises is not up to them because the system is independent.”
He said the students are being punished before any due process.
Below is the full statement for the University of Chicago about its decision to withhold degrees while the cases are being considered:
The recent protests on campus brought about multiple formal complaints alleging that students violated University policies, including by engaging in disruptive conduct. Members of the University community may have questions about how the process works in such cases.
The University adheres to a well-defined, faculty-led Disciplinary System for Disruptive Conduct that was developed and approved by the Council of the University Senate in 2017. It is essential that this process is followed consistently to afford due process to both complainants and respondents.
Once a formal complaint is received and, if the Disciplinary Committee faculty lead concurs that the complaint is credible, the matter may be referred to the Standing Disciplinary Committee on Disruptive Conduct to determine if policies have been violated. These processes do not involve University leaders, including the President or Provost.
When such complaints are referred to the Disciplinary Committee, degrees may be withheld until the case is resolved in order to allow a complete process. However, as with many situations, for example when certain degree requirements are still being completed, students may participate in Convocation. Degrees can be conferred expeditiously, depending upon the resolution.
The faculty and staff members who serve in established roles in this process perform an important service to the campus community. They act to ensure the consistency, fairness, and fidelity of the University’s procedures, and it is important that these matters proceed accordingly.
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