Several Vanderbilt University students were expelled, one was suspended, and more than 20 students were suspended after violent demonstrations last month protesting the administration’s lifting of the anti-Israel Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) initiative. He was sentenced to probation.
This comes from the Vanderbilt Divest Coalition (VDC), which has proposed an amendment to the Vanderbilt Student Government Constitution that would block government funds from going to certain companies that support Israel.
The amendment gathered more than 600 signatures and was subject to a student vote, but it was removed by the university and on March 26, nearly 30 students were sent to Vanderbilt University Chancellor Daniel Diermeier’s office. They marched into the hall and staged a sit-in.
Vanderbilt and VDC Display.
The university alleges that some students assaulted a community service officer (CSO) and shoved a staff member to gain admission. VDC described the protests as “peaceful”.
A Nashville Scene reporter was also detained outside the building after repeatedly attempting to enter several doors in Kirkland Hall, the administrative building, and being asked to leave.
The sit-in protest lasted more than 20 hours. More than 30 students also protested for hours on the steps outside the building, despite being threatened with suspension and expulsion.
Pro-Palestinian protests targeting places of worship
On Friday, the VDC announced that three students had been expelled, one student had been suspended, and more than 20 had been placed on “disciplinary probation for peacefully protesting on behalf of Palestine.”
The group accused Diermeyer of being “notoriously cruel towards student protesters.”
Vanderbilt declined to confirm the number of expulsions and suspensions. (St. Petersburg)
In a social media post, VDC said: “All students are going through the appeals process to correct the most oppressive decisions made by the administration. We only asked one thing: Vote.” , called on other students to join Monday’s walkout. at noon.
The university declined to confirm the group’s number of expulsions and suspensions, citing federal privacy laws.
“After a thorough review of the incident, including examining the evidence and interviewing the student, Student Responsibility Community Standards and Academic Integrity staff issued a wide range of findings and sanctions that considered the individual circumstances of each student’s conduct. ” said Vanderbilt President and Vanderbilt Professor. Vice President for Academic Affairs C. Cybele Labor said Friday. “Sanctions included suspension and expulsion as well as disciplinary observation.”
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Students have 10 days to appeal to the University’s Appeals Review Board. Students may return to class during the appeal process.
Fox News Digital’s Kendall Tietz contributed to this report.
