Indiana University leadership has suspended the Palestine Solidarity Committee, among the Bloomington campus’ largest pro-Palestinian organizations, ahead of the 2025 fall semester.
In a letter to the organization’s leadership on Aug. 15, IU’s Office of Student Conduct alleged the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) had engaged in disorderly conduct that caused “material and substantial disruption of university operations” and damaged property during the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years. IU spokesperson Teresa Mackin said the investigation into the PSC is ongoing, but did respond to questions about specific allegations against the PSC.
“Interim measures regarding student groups are initiated when there are substantiated allegations of behavior that has caused or may cause harm to the members of the organization and/or the community,” Mackin said in a statement.
Palestine Solidarity Committe to immediately suspend all activities until further notice
The letter ordered the group to immediately suspend all events, meetings and recruitment efforts, and to provide a roster of new and active members, including the date they joined. It also ordered the group’s president to meet with the Office of Student Conduct and for the group to organize a moderated meeting with members to discuss the suspension.
Amr Sabry, a professor of computer science and the faculty adviser for the PSC, said he wasn’t aware of the disciplinary action until a student in the group reached out to him on Aug. 15. Sabry said he was confused by the “vague” allegations and confused by the timing since the semester hasn’t begun.
“I don’t know what this is about,” Sabry said. “The only speculation I have is that the semester is starting and the genocide is still going on, so maybe they’re trying to intimidate people.”
In the spring of 2023, pro-Palestinian organizers established a monthslong encampment in Dunn Meadow to protest Israel and raise awareness for the humanitarian crisis facing civilians in the Gaza strip. IU claimed the damage from the encampment required “extensive repairs” — but the encampment was organized by a variety of activists, including members of the PSC, the IU Divestment Coalition, and students not formally affiliated with any organization.
Cease and desist raises First Amendment questions about imminent threat and incitement
As a public university, IU may face a higher burden of proof for arguing why the cease and desist against the PSC was necessary.
The U.S. Supreme Court has generally recognized very few exceptions where a public entity is allowed to restrict the free speech of an individual or group. Public entities must generally prove that an individual or group’s speech poses a real, imminent threat toward inciting violence or other lawless actions.
As the misconduct allegations against the PSC are retroactive, it may be difficult for the university to prove an imminent threat.
IU’s own expressive activity policy, which was recently revised after a judge found it likely violated the First Amendment, says activities may not be permitted if they hinder another individual or group’s ability to hear, communicate or participate in expressive activities, or prevent business or activities from occurring by engaging in violence or unlawful behavior.
University requests list of all members involved in pro-Palestine group
Sabry said it’s bizarre that the university requested a roster of new and active members since the PSC’s core officers are already listed on IU’s club and organization web portal, BeInvolved.
“There are the core officers, but then there are people who just come and go,” Sabry said. “Somebody might show up to one activity and not show up to the next. We don’t really keep track.”
Sabry said students in the organization requested an extension for time to meet with the Office of Student Conduct since many have still not returned to campus for the new school year. Bryce Greene, a graduate student adviser and co-founder of the PSC, said he’s curious to see if the university provides more detailed allegations against the group.
“They have yet to levy a specific allegation,” Greene said. “Right now, it’s very unclear.”
Reach Brian Rosenzweig at brian@heraldt.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @brianwritesnews.
This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: IU orders ‘immediate suspension’ of pro-Palestine group on campus
Reporting by Brian Rosenzweig, The Herald-Times / The Herald-Times
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