Few universities and colleges across the country have suspended students participating in campus protests.

#NotAgainSU, a movement led by Black students, has occupied Crouse-Hinds Hall since Feb. 17 to protest hate incidents occurring at or near Syracuse University. SU placed more than 30 organizers under interim suspension Feb. 17 for occupying the building past closing, lifting the sanctions a day later.

University officials said that students were not suspended for protesting, but for violating SU’s Code of Student Conduct by remaining in a university building past closing.

While some colleges and universities have been quick to punish student protesters, others have changed campus policies and made deals with organizers.

Here’s how other colleges and universities have responded to student protests:

University of Oklahoma

A student protest group, the Black Emergency Response Team, held a three day sit-in and hunger strike last week after two professors used racial slurs in classes.

The group began the sit-in outside OU Interim President Joseph Harroz’s office early Wednesday morning. Negotiations between administration and protesters occurred throughout the sit-in, according to the OU Daily. The protest ended after reaching a compromise on student protesters’ demands Friday afternoon.

BERT demanded the resignation of Provost Kyle Harper. While he will remain in his position, OU agreed to conduct an extensive review of Harper’s dealings and add more checks to his power. The university also agreed to consider adopting many of BERT’s demands into the university’s academic strategic plan.

#NotAgainSU presented Chancellor Kent Syverud with a list of 19 demands in November to meet in response to the hate incidents. Syverud signed 16 demands as written, revising the remaining three. The movement has added 16 demands since Feb. 17.

The movement plans to occupy Crouse-Hinds until its additional demands are met.

University of Oregon

In 2017, student organizers at the University of Oregon rushed a stage, effectively shutting down President Michael Schill’s state of the university address. The students were protesting neo-Nazi propaganda found on campus and tuition costs.

The university later told the student protesters they would not face consequences if they agreed to meet with administrators to discuss concerns. If the students declined, they could be punished for violating the university’s code of conduct, according to Inside Higher Ed.

#NotAgainSU has repeatedly criticized Syverud and SU’s Board of Trustees for not meeting to address the movement’s concerns. Organizers will meet with SU officials Monday to negotiate demands.

Harvard and Yale universities

New Haven police arrested dozens of student organizers who disrupted a Harvard-Yale football game in November to protest climate change.

Protesters demanded that both universities withdraw investments in fossil fuel industries and cancel holdings in Puerto Rican debt, according to the New Haven Register. Students from both Harvard and Yale rushed the field, causing officials to stall the game.

The organizers were charged with disorderly conduct. A Connecticut judge later ruled the charges would be dropped if the students completed five hours of community service.

More than 100 students, faculty and supporters of the #NotAgainSU movement blocked the intersection of South Crouse and Waverly avenues on Wednesday. Syracuse Police Department officers warned protesters they could be arrested for disorderly conduct. No arrests were made.

Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College suspended five students in 2017 for protesting a campus event featuring a conservative author.

About 250 protesters blocked access to the auditorium where author Heather Mac Donald was scheduled to speak. Mac Donald is known for defending police against Black Lives Matter activists, according to the Los Angeles Times.

After reviewing video evidence, officials identified and charged 10 students with violations of college policy. Five were suspended, three for a year and two for a semester.

#NotAgainSU organizers disrupted a lunch with SU donors Saturday to urge Syverud to negotiate with them. No students were barred from entering the event, SU officials said.

Brandeis University

Brandeis University changed its policy regarding student demonstrations last year in response to student protests. Student activists must seek approval from the university before holding protests under the policy.

Student protest groups Brandeis Climate Justice and #StillConcernedStudents held protests during the 2018-2019 academic year, according to Brandeis’ student-run newspaper, The Justice.

Student activists at Brandeis criticized the new policy for restricting freedom of speech and making peaceful demonstration more difficult.

Published on March 1, 2020 at 11:07 pm

Contact Sarah: scalessa@syr.edu | @sarahalessan