In meetings shielded from public view, UF ignored recommendations to more lightly punish six students who were arrested in an April 29 pro-Palestinian protest in favor of harsher academic suspensions of up to four years.
The suspensions, issued by the UF Dean of Students Office, overruled recommendations made by the Student Conduct Committee (SCC), a body of faculty, staff and students who reviewed evidence, including police footage, of the protests.
The committee’s recommendations ranged from one- to four-year suspensions and academic probation, according to a July 8 press release from Tess Segal, one of the students who was suspended. The university, however, decided to impose harsher penalties, with each student receiving at least a three-year suspension.
The SCC recommended one student, Keely Gilwa, receive academic probation. However, the dean’s office issued them a three-year suspension, which prevented them from receiving their master’s degree May 2.
Allan Frasheri, a 21-year-old UF philosophy senior who was charged with a felony count of battery for allegedly spitting on a police officer, was recommended a one-year suspension but was issued a four-year suspension.
Dean of Students Chris Summerlin, who took office in April just before the protests, didn’t immediately respond to questions about why he imposed harsher penalties on the students than those recommended by the SCC.
Students on academic suspension are unable to enroll in classes at UF and aren’t permitted to graduate until the suspension is lifted which requires students to appeal to the university. They may, however, take courses at another institution and later transfer their credits to UF once their suspension has been lifted, according to university policy.
UF spokesperson Cynthia Roldan said student records, including student conduct hearings, are shielded from public view under federal law.
All nine arrestees, including two community members who aren’t students, are facing criminal prosecution by the state in addition to academic punishments. Each arrestee was offered a deferred prosecution agreement, however, all nine chose to go to trial instead.
“We did not resist arrest and we are prepared to fight our charges,” said Parker Hovis, one of the students under prosecution. “We will not sit idly by while our rights to peaceful expression, speech, and assembly are criminalized.”
Separately, Santa Fe College student Charly Pringle was recommended a deferred suspension but was issued a three-year suspension, according to the news release. SFC spokesperson Lisa Blonsky said the college hasn’t charged or disciplined any students for participating in the April 29 protest.
“Asking my university to divest from war is an act of tikkun olam,” wrote Segal, referring to a Hebrew concept of repairing and improving the world. “I stand in solidarity with Palestinians not in spite of my Judaism, but because of it.”
Contact Avery Parker at aparker@alligator.org. Follow him on X @AveryParke98398.
Avery Parker is a third-year English and History major covering university affairs for The Alligator. Outside of reporting, Avery spends his time doting on his cats, reading, and listening to music by the Manwolves.
