UT Austin investigates students arrested during pro-Palestinian protests

UT Austin students who were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests in April are under investigation by the university and could face disciplinary action, according to emails sent to students Friday.

At least five students received letters from the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity around 4 p.m. Friday. The letters, which were shared with KUT, indicate that the university has initiated disciplinary proceedings against the students. They include arrest affidavits and claim the students allegedly violated two university rules, including failing to comply with university guidelines and disrupting teaching and learning.

The students were arrested during pro-Palestinian protests in April. Fifty-seven people were arrested on April 24, most charged with criminal trespass. The Travis County prosecutor ultimately dropped all charges. Another 79 people were arrested during a demonstration on April 29. Some of these cases will likely go to court.

Mike Rosen, a UT Austin spokesman, said Friday that the university would not comment on any conduct proceedings against students. According to the university's student code of conduct, if students are found to have violated university rules, they could receive a written warning, face academic probation or suspension, or be subject to refuse their diploma.

Since late May, at least six students, including three who received letters Friday, have had their accounts blocked, meaning some have been unable to register for classes, access their transcripts or obtain a copy of their diplomas. Many of these students were awaiting official disciplinary letters from UT, which did not arrive until Friday.

After the April 24 protest, a UT spokesperson, Brian Davis, told KUT that arrested students could face disciplinary action. Initially, Davis said students would not be allowed on campus. But more than two hours later, Davis walked back that statement, ultimately saying that students could return to campus for “any reason” but that the university could decide to discipline students after final exams and obtaining their diploma.

Protesters gathered again on the university's South Lawn on April 29. As law enforcement attempted to leave the campus alongside a van carrying arrested protesters, people attempted to block the exit. Police used pepper spray and flash grenades to disperse the crowd. Police arrested 79 protesters that day.

In the letter the students received Friday, it is requested that they submit a written response to the university by June 18. The university suggested possible responses for students, including questions such as: “In your opinion, is it appropriate to engage in conduct that prevents universities from carrying out their daily functions?” » and “If you had the chance to relive the day in question, would you do anything differently?” »

One of the students facing discipline is Saja Naser. Police arrested her during the April 24 protest. Like others arrested that day, the criminal trespass charge against Naser was later dropped. But since May 20, Naser estimates, she has had a non-financial hold on her account, meaning she has been unable to enroll in a required course in what is supposed to be her last semester of school.

“It's very obvious that they are trying to punish students and they want to set an example of what not to do,” said Naser, who received a letter Friday warning her that she was doing so. subject of investigation. “To tell other students, 'Hey…if you protest, then this is what's going to happen to you.' »

Other universities have taken action against students who participated in pro-Palestinian actions on their campuses. On May 22, members of the Harvard University Board of Trustees said they had voted to deny graduation to 13 undergraduate students. According to university officials, the students violated university policies by participating in an on-campus encampment.

UT students said the university shared little information about why their accounts were being held. Naser said that when she initially called the dean of students' office, an employee told her on the phone that the suspension was “because of the protests.”

But in follow-up phone calls, Naser was not given a reason for his account being blocked. KUT listened to a phone call Naser made to the dean of students' office. When asked why her account was withheld, the person responded, “I don't have that information.” »

According to the UT Austin Student Conduct Rules, the dean of students may deny the grades, transcripts or diplomas of a student who he or she determines has violated a university rule. A hold may be placed on a student's account pending investigation of the student or resolution of the issue. This same set of rules states that students must be informed by email or mail of the allegations, proceedings, and any interim measures taken against them. The university does not specify how quickly this should happen.

Spokesman Rosen told KUT he could not explain why letters alerting students to pursue legal action against them were sent more than two weeks after the university blocked students' accounts.

Anne-Marie Garcia Jardine spent weeks trying to get a copy of her transcript to send to New York University, where she plans to attend graduate school in the fall. Her account has been blocked since May, she said, and has received emails from NYU telling her she could lose her student spot without a transcript from UT Austin.

Garcia Jardine received a letter Friday saying the university had initiated proceedings against her. According to a university police affidavit shared with KUT, she is accused of “graffiti”; the victim of the incident is listed as “University of Texas at Austin.”

“What exactly are they investigating?” Especially if they let the seniors graduate. I walked across a stage and shook someone’s hand,” she said. “What do they have?” What are they trying to say?

Garcia Jardine said she was finally able to access her transcript because a university employee agreed to waive her hold for a 24-hour period. She could face additional sanctions if she is found to have violated university rules.