CAMBRIDGE – Thirteen Harvard University students who participated in the pro-Palestinian protest camp on campus will not receive a diploma at commencement on Thursday.
The university’s top administration rejected a recommendation from faculty members that the students graduate along with their classmates.
In an online statement explaining the decision, Harvard College’s president and fellows said degrees would not be awarded to students who are not in good standing or who face disciplinary action.
Students are not eligible for a diploma
“In making this decision, we note that the express provisions of the Harvard College Student Handbook state that students who are not in good standing are not eligible to receive a degree,” the statement said.
Students can participate in ceremonies, but do not receive diplomas.
“We understand that the inability to graduate impacts students and their families,” the statement said. “We fully support the Faculty of Arts and Sciences’ stated intention to provide expedited review of eligible requests for reconsideration or appeal at this time. We will immediately consider awarding degrees if a student, following the completion of all FAS processes will qualify for a degree.”
The pro-Palestinian encampment at Harvard Yard was set up in late April and lasted nearly three weeks. The student group called on Harvard to divest from Israel and “reinvest resources in Palestinian academic initiatives, communities and culture.”
WBZ News Staff
