UCSD suspends graduation of arrested students

SAN DIEGO — The announcement that seven University of San Diego seniors had their degrees suspended came during a protest on campus Thursday, as university workers demonstrated against the war in Gaza.

A university spokesperson confirmed the suspensions were ordered by the UC Board of Trustees, saying in a statement: “A degree suspension refers to the withholding of the diploma and transcripts of a student while awaiting the conclusion of a student conduct matter. The UC Board of Regents and President have directed campuses to ensure that all students arrested on campus for violating the law are subject to the applicable student conduct process. Due to student privacy laws, the university cannot comment on specific student disciplinary cases.

Forty students and two professors were arrested on campus on May 6, out of a total of 64 arrests confirmed by the university.

Per UC San Diego policy, resolution of a student conduct case may take more than a month. Students receive an email notifying them of the disciplinary action, triggering a review hearing in which the university and the student are allowed to call witnesses and make closing statements.

After that, it may take more than two weeks to send a decision letter. The student has the right to appeal the decision.

UC San Diego's graduations are scheduled for next weekend, so it seems unlikely that the arrested students will be allowed to participate in commencement ceremonies. Ultimately, students may still receive their diploma, depending on individual assessment decisions.

One of the two teachers arrested during the May 6 protests told CBS 8 she was given documents ordering her to appear in court on the afternoon of June 17.

The city attorney emailed CBS 8 the following statement:

“The UC San Diego Police Department has begun referring cases to our office for possible prosecution for crimes related to the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus. Our prosecutors will now review the facts of each case to determine whether a crime occurred.

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