CHICAGO — Dozens of students protesting the war in Gaza walked out of the University of Chicago’s commencement Saturday as the school withheld the diplomas of four seniors over their involvement with a pro-Palestinian encampment.
The disruption to the rainy two-hour outdoor ceremony was brief, with shouts, boos and calls to “Stop Genocide.” A crowd of students walked out in between speeches and a demonstration followed the official ceremony. Some chanted as they held Palestinian flags while others donned traditional keffiyeh, black and white checkered scarves that represent Palestinian solidarity, over their robes.
Four graduating seniors, including Youssef Haweh, were informed by email in recent days that their degrees would be withheld pending a disciplinary process related to complaints about the encampment, according to student group UChicago United for Palestine.
“My diploma doesn’t matter when there are people in Palestine and in Gaza that will never walk a stage again, who will never receive a diploma. What about them? Who’s going to fight for them?” Haweh said in a Saturday statement.
University officials acknowledged the walkout, saying the school is “committed to upholding the rights of students to express a wide range of views,” according to a statement.
Students have walked out of commencements at Harvard University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and others as protest camps have sprung up across the U.S. and in Europe in recent weeks. Students have demanded their universities stop doing business with Israel or companies they say support its war in Gaza. Organizers seek to amplify calls to end Israel’s war with Hamas, which they describe as a genocide against the Palestinians.
A small demonstration after the commencement, where protesters tried to access a closed street, resulted in the arrest of one person not affiliated with the school, university officials said in a statement.
The University of Chicago encampment was cleared May 7. Administrators had initially adopted a permissive approach, but later said the protest had crossed a line and caused growing concerns about safety. One group temporarily took over a building on the school’s campus.
University officials have said the demonstrations prompted formal complaints including for “disruptive conduct,” and would require further review. The students were still able to participate in graduation, and can receive their degrees if they are later cleared after the university inquiry into alleged violations of campus policy. The university didn’t have comment Saturday about the diplomas.
Thousands of students and faculty members have signed a petition calling for the university to grant the degrees, while more than a dozen Chicago City Council members have penned a letter asking for the same.
The University of Chicago’s recent graduation ceremony was marred by disruptions as four students were denied their diplomas due to undisclosed reasons. The incident has left many questioning the university’s decision and has sparked controversy among students, faculty, and parents.
The graduation ceremony, which took place at the university’s campus in Hyde Park, was supposed to be a joyous occasion for the graduating class of 2021. However, the atmosphere quickly turned tense as it was announced that four students would not be receiving their diplomas during the ceremony.
According to university officials, the four students had their diplomas withheld due to violations of the university’s academic integrity policy. The specific details of the violations were not disclosed, leading to speculation and rumors among the attendees.
The decision to withhold the diplomas has been met with mixed reactions from the university community. Some believe that the university was justified in enforcing its academic integrity policy, while others argue that the punishment was too severe and should have been handled differently.
Many students and parents expressed disappointment and frustration over the situation, with some calling for more transparency and accountability from the university. Some have even started a petition demanding that the university reconsider its decision and award the diplomas to the affected students.
The incident has also raised concerns about the university’s handling of academic integrity issues and its impact on students’ futures. Withholding a diploma can have serious consequences for a student’s career prospects and future opportunities, making it a decision that should not be taken lightly.
As the controversy continues to unfold, it is clear that the University of Chicago will need to address the situation in a transparent and fair manner. The affected students deserve to know the specific reasons for the withholding of their diplomas and have the opportunity to appeal the decision if necessary.
Overall, the graduation ceremony disruptions at the University of Chicago serve as a reminder of the importance of upholding academic integrity while also ensuring that students are treated fairly and given due process in disciplinary matters. It is crucial for universities to strike a balance between enforcing policies and supporting their students’ academic and personal growth.
