University suspends pro-Palestinian student group
Florida State University has suspended a student group after its members interrupted a meeting of the university’s governing board with pro-Palestinian chants.
FSU’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society has lost its recognized student organization status until May 15, 2025. It has an opportunity to appeal the decision by the end of the week. Among other things, the move means the group can’t take part in official university events.
“As an educational institution, Florida State University welcomes free inquiry, diverse thought, rigorous debate and peaceful assembly,” FSU spokeswoman Amy Farnum-Patronis said. “However, students and student organizations may not disrupt university business, student learning or the normal operations of the university.”
But the group says it “strongly condemns” the decision and vows to continue operating regardless.
“SDS recognizes this as a part of a greater surge of political repression across U.S. colleges against organizations that stand with Palestine,” it wrote in an Instagram post Monday.
“Our support for a free Palestine is unwavering and is not contingent on recognition by the University, nor the support of governing bodies. While these attacks may briefly divert our attention we will remain vigilant and steadfast in our mission.”
What happened?
When members from FSU’s Students for a Democratic Society, or SDS, and other organizations showed up to a Nov. 10 FSU Board of Trustees meeting, they planned to speak during the public comment period. They learned on arrival that it had occurred earlier than scheduled.
Farnum-Patronis said proceedings had simply moved fast, and she pointed to a notice on the meeting agenda that read, “The agenda will be followed in subsequent order and items may be heard earlier than the scheduled time.”
The protesters didn’t see it that way.
It was little more than a month after Hamas launched a brutal surprise attack on Israel, taking hostages, with Israel responding by bombing and invading Gaza. Tensions were high – and remain so to this day.
The members attended the meeting anyway, which was held in the school’s University Center.
At first, they silently waved Palestinian flags in the back of the room. Some also held signs, including one that had a marker-drawn Palestinian flag beside the words, “DOES FSU WANT TO PROFIT OFF ANOTHER GENOCIDE?”
Someone at the front of the group held a phone aloft, the screen filled with the words, “FSU SILENCES ITS STUDENTS.”
Then someone shouted, “We have a question. Why did you expedite public comment so we couldn’t come here? Why does FSU continue to fund genocide through its partnerships with Israel? Can any of you answer that?”
Chants followed: “Free, free Palestine,” and “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” Police quickly escorted the protesters out.
What FSU says
In a decision released Friday, the FSU Department of Student Conduct and Community Standards said it found the school’s chapter responsible for three violations:
The university said it did not comply with the “lawful order or reasonable request” of a law enforcement officer to just “stay and watch” the meeting.
Another finding said members disrupted university operations, another violation of the Student Organization Conduct Code.
And the university charged the group with “entering or using the property or facilities of another person
hhhor entity without the consent or authorization or refusing to depart when directed by a university official.”
A school official wrote that police “were met with resistance and behavior to delay and thereby further disrupt the FSU Board of Trustees meeting” by one person. That person was a “familiar face” to the group