DS Suspended for Palestine

[Anonymous]

My (Jewish) DS just told me he got suspended from GWU (we wanted him to stay local but let him live on campus) after participating in the Palestine encampment there. He told us that they even threatened him with expulsion.

We're still trying to wrap our heads around the whole situation. We all have criticisms of Netanyahu but I hadn't realized his positions were so extreme.

Wondering where do we go from here. For now at least it feels like we should try and be supportive and understanding to not push him away. Especially since no matter what his beliefs, kicking him out of university housing and making him lose all his credits for the semester feels a bit extreme considering he wasn't hurting anybody.

[Anonymous]

So, he was simply standing there when he was removed from the protest? Did the police tell the protesters to disperse and he refused? Lots of unknowns here. Lots of schools are threatening suspension or removal from the school. Let’s see how it all plays out.

[Anonymous]

Let him move home. Help him with an attorney if it comes to that. I think you may be able to get some free legal help from GW’s law school

How’d he get that way? GW is very diverse and has a ton of foreign Arab students, mostly Muslim when I was there, who might be influencing him to more extreme positions

[Anonymous]

He disobeyed the rules of the university.

[Anonymous]

His choice, his consequences.

[Anonymous]

I’d tell him to get a job so he can pay for his new apartment.

[Anonymous]

It’s time for finals.

[Anonymous]

Help him figure out exactly what rules he violated, the specific terms of his suspension, and help him with an attorney if he needs one.

[Anonymous]

Teach him to follow the rules.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:His choice, his consequences.

+1 I’d be so angry with him for the financial loss for those credits. If he does act completely remorseful for this, I’d make him take a semester off.

[Anonymous]

All of these kids were extensively warned. They aren’t mass suspending students. Find out specifically what he did.

Now is a good time for him to learn about the Finding Out process.

I’d also make him contribute financially for the extra semester, if not pay for the whole thing. Maybe he can make up the credits in community college or something. That might help him focus on academics in the futur - or at least be more judicious with his activism.

[Anonymous]

He wasn’t suspended for supporting Palestine, OP. Your title is purposely inflammatory. He broke campus rules and obstinately would not follow administration directives. The inmates can’trun the asylum.

[Anonymous]

Good for him for standing up for something.

[Anonymous]

It's almost like he's being held accountable for his actions.

I wouldn't bother lawyering up. That would be just throwing good money after bad.

[Anonymous]

Here’s the thing: that university is private property. Not only that, but they already have policies and guidelines for protests, like basically all universities do. You can’t just do whatever you want on private property. Disobey the rules and get kicked out. Period.

Yesterday at UMD, there was Israel Fest on one side of the Mall, and a pro-Palestine protest of Israel Fest on the other side of the Mall. Both groups had guidelines they had to follow. And they followed them. There are guidelines for protesting on campuses. Follow them or face the consequences.