Annie McGrew, a graduate student at the University of Massachusetts, has been embroiled in two sets of hearings following her arrest at a protest: one for misdemeanor charges in court and another for violations of the college’s conduct code.
This situation has significantly disrupted her progress on her economics dissertation. McGrew expressed her surprise and disappointment at the university administration’s response to her arrest, highlighting the challenges she has faced in recent months.
This spring, a wave of pro-Palestinian protests swept across numerous universities, leading to the arrest of approximately 3,200 people. While some institutions managed to resolve the protests peacefully or through negotiations, others called in police to handle the demonstrators who refused to vacate the premises.
Many of the arrested students have since had their charges dropped, but numerous cases remain unresolved, particularly at campuses with high arrest numbers, creating ongoing legal and academic uncertainty for the involved students.
Graduate Student’s Arrest at Protest Disrupts Dissertation Progress and University Hearings
Valencia Alvarez, another student protester from Washington University in St. Louis, faces potential charges for participating in a short protest in April. The university offered the arrested students a choice between a conduct hearing or accepting responsibility without further investigation.
Alvarez chose the conduct hearing, emphasizing her intention to continue speaking out against the university’s actions. Similar protests have occurred at various universities, sparking debates about the appropriate use of law enforcement on campuses and the handling of peaceful demonstrations.
Most of the charges against the demonstrators involve misdemeanors or minor offenses, such as trespassing or disorderly conduct. At Columbia University, more serious charges were initially filed but later reduced.
Many students have had their charges dropped, with prosecutors citing insufficient evidence. In some cases, local authorities have decided not to pursue low-level violations, prioritizing the relief of court burdens and the conservation of resources.
In upstate New York, charges against students arrested at SUNY New Paltz were dismissed by the district attorney, who cited the unnecessary burden on the courts and resources. Students recounted the harsh treatment they experienced during their arrests, with reports of physical injuries and brutal handling by police officers.
The arrests have had significant academic repercussions for some students, impacting their ability to complete their studies and prompting some to consider leaving their institutions.
The protests and subsequent arrests have had profound effects on students’ academic careers, with many facing delays in their graduation and difficulties in their studies. At Washington University, conduct hearings are ongoing, while at Emerson College, students were offered pre-arraignment diversion in exchange for community service.
The heavy-handed police response at various institutions has drawn criticism from campus organizations and led to calls for policy reviews and changes in how universities handle demonstrations.
At UMass Amherst, the large police presence during the protests, including officers in riot gear, caused significant distress among students. Some students reported humiliating treatment by the police, leading to decisions to transfer to other institutions.
The UMass administration has faced backlash, including a no-confidence vote against the chancellor. In response, a task force has been established to review and potentially revise campus policies on demonstrations, with further developments expected before the new school year begins.
