US colleges update guidelines amid anticipation of increased anti-Israel protests

While critics argue that new rules restricting anti-Israel protests on college campuses infringe on free speech, a Cornell Law professor told Planet Chronicle Digital that these policies merely clarify existing rules and safeguard the rights of Jewish and Israeli students on campus.

Higher education officials have devised strategies to balance the rights of protesting students with the safety and ability of other students to attend classes during the fall semester.

William Jacobson, a Cornell Law professor and founder of equalprotect.org, stated on Planet Chronicle Digital that schools must strike a balance between students' right to education and other students' right to protest.

The consequences of interventions are significant. Last week, Columbia University President Minouche Shafik resigned due to allegations that she failed to stop anti-Israel protesters from disrupting the school without any action or punishment.

New rules on campuses include banning encampments, allowing protests only in designated areas, restricting access to campus for non-identified individuals, requiring protesters to register in advance, limiting amplified sound usage during class hours, mandating sign removal within two weeks of protests, and limiting demonstration duration.

The American Association of University Professors issued a statement last week condemning "overly restrictive policies" that discourage free expression.

Faculty input should be considered when implementing policies, and our colleges and universities should promote open and lively discussions, rather than stifling them, on deeply held beliefs.

Since the late 1960s, there has been a resurgence of repression on campuses, as stated by Risa Liberwitz, a professor of labor and employment at Cornell, to NBC.

In most places, "the additional measures are already in place," according to Jacobson.

"Many of the issues people are complaining about were already implied in the rules, but they had not been explicitly stated," he said.

Although encampments have now been banned, they were previously against Cornell's policy.

The University of Pennsylvania has established new "temporary rules" for student protests, which prohibit encampments, overnight demonstrations, and the use of bullhorns and speakers after 5 p.m. on class days. The university emphasized its dedication to upholding lawful assembly and protecting freedom of speech.

At Indiana University, overnight protests, protests after 11 p.m., and camping are prohibited under the "expressive activities policy" that took effect on Aug. 1. Signs displayed on university property need prior approval. At the University of South Florida, canopies, banners, signs, and amplifiers need approval, and no protest "activity" is allowed after 5 p.m. or at all during finals in the last two weeks of the semester.

Jacobson informed Planet Chronicle Digital that many of these things are attempting to address the abuses that occurred.

"The majority of what is happening is not genuine expression, but rather intimidation. When you use a bullhorn indoors, it's not for self-expression, but to intimidate others. Those who are protesting these rules are primarily individuals who seek to intimidate others."

"A lot of what is going on is not actually free expression, it’s intimidation."

He stated that an attempt is being made to establish a hostile environment on campus for Israel backers, specifically Jewish Israel supporters.

Jacobson acknowledged that it appeared "a bit harsh" for universities to prohibit protests after 5 p.m.

Although the idea of these rules is reasonable, not all of them are reasonable, he stated.

Jacobson stated that he was certain that certain new policies, specifically those implemented by public universities, would be contested.

He stated that as long as there are reasonable time, place, and manner restrictions that align with the Constitution, it is acceptable to have bullhorns in a building and encampments that disrupt student flow.

Jacobson characterized criticisms of the new rules as "cry-bullying."

"One pattern we observe is that anti-Israel protesters often engage in 'cry-bullying.' They intimidate and bully people, creating hostile environments. However, the moment anyone says 'You can't do that,' they cry as if their rights are being violated," Jacobson stated.

The cry-bullies believe they are exempt from following the rules that everyone else must adhere to, which is what's driving this, according to him.