Harvard president threatens ‘involuntary leave’ for protesters in pro-Palestinian encampment

Alan M. Garber, the interim president of Harvard University , has threatened to remove pro-Palestinian occupiers from Harvard Yard through "involuntary leave," according to a universitywide statement issued Monday.

The message comes as finals conclude and the specter of confrontations with graduation ceremonies grows. Students who have been suspended in connection with the protests will not be able to complete final exams or remain in Harvard housing, Garber wrote, adding they "must cease to be present on campus until reinstated.”

“I write today with this simple message: The continuation of the encampment presents a significant risk to the educational environment of the University,” Garber said . “Those who participate in or perpetuate its continuation will be referred for involuntary leave from their Schools.”

Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine, a group organizing the encampment that is not recognized by the university, has maintained its occupation of Harvard Yard for 13 days. In a statement Monday responding to Garber, the group said that “Garber’s threats represent a significant and unprecedented escalation by the University" and noted its members planned to respond at a press conference later Monday afternoon.

The occupation has been allowed to remain as the school conducts disciplinary proceedings.

While Garber has said in the past that there is a "very high bar" that must be surpassed before justifying a police intervention, his message on suspensions and the requirement that occupiers leave campus appears to be a step closer to removing them forcibly. He also did not acknowledge a framework for negotiations with the occupiers, who set a 5 p.m. Monday deadline to begin talks.

"The right to free speech, including protest and dissent, is vital to the work of the research university. But it is not unlimited," Garber wrote. "It must be exercised in a time, place, and manner that respects the right of our community members to do their work, pursue their education, and enjoy the opportunities that a residential campus has to offer."

“I call on those participating in the encampment to end the occupation of Harvard Yard," he added.

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Garber is fighting against the clock, with the May commencement and graduation ceremonies expected to bring tens of thousands of people to campus. Reports of intimidation and harassment from protesters, which the president has said are "indefensible and unacceptable," threaten to derail the ceremonies for students who largely were unable to have normal graduations as high school seniors during the pandemic in 2020.

The note from Garber comes as Columbia University, the powder keg that sparked nationwide campus occupations, announced on Monday that it decided to cancel its primary commencement ceremony.