Campus rules are still a work in progress, university spokesperson says
Harvard University may ban chalking, unapproved displays and signs, unauthorized photography, and more after pro-Palestinian protests caused chaos on campus in the spring, according to a document obtained by The Crimson.
The draft “Campus Use Rules” document came from the university’s Office of General Counsel and the Working Group on Campus Space Use with the stated goal of establishing a common set of rules to “manage the use of all University spaces.”
Among other things, the proposal would ban overnight camping, chalking, unapproved signs and displays, unauthorized videos and photos, and the moving of university furniture without permission.
The draft also outlines penalties for violations.
Anyone who violates the rules “may be held financially responsible for any resulting costs incurred and may be subject to other consequences for noncompliance, including referral for discipline,” according to the document.
University spokesperson Jason Newton told the student newspaper the rules have not been finalized.
The draft “is an earlier version that was in review and may not accurately indicate the current status of guidance regarding a particular topic,” Newton wrote in a statement. “Once the document is finalized, it will be shared with the Harvard community.”
Some of the rules, such as prohibiting the blocking of traffic and building entrances, already are bans at Harvard, according to The Crimson.
However, the student newspaper brought up free speech concerns about other rule proposals, such as chalking messages on university sidewalks.
Another “would require all events to be held by a ‘designated Harvard affiliate or affiliate group sponsor.’ Unless explicitly permitted by site-specific policies, the policy would ban groups from co-sponsoring events with non-Harvard organizations and unrecognized student organizations,” the report states.
Harvard and other universities have faced criticism for their handling of the pro-Palestinian protests that took place last school year on campuses across the nation.
Some protesters camped on college lawns for weeks in violation of universities’ policies and, on some campuses, caused millions of dollars in damages and clean-up costs.
More than 3,100 pro-Palestinian student protesters were arrested just in the spring, according to a New York Times tally. However, many of the charges later were dropped.
Earlier this month, Harvard reversed its decision to suspend five students involved in an encampment on its lawn, The College Fix reported.
National Review, in reporting on the reversal, pointed out the “decision to retract its suspensions for students has raised questions about how seriously Harvard takes its own code of conduct.”
Meanwhile, Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine, the group that led the 20-day protest, celebrated the news, stating on its Instagram page, “After sustained student and faculty organizing, Harvard has caved in, showing that the student intifada will always prevail.”
MORE: Harvard is ‘anti-Western’ ‘anti-American’ and ‘antisemitic,’ Jewish alumnus says
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