November 14, 2019
Incident: Student lead protest over a speaker invited to speak at an event held in Rocky. Reports of an offensive chant used "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free". Speaker disruptive for a brief period of time before protesters left on their own accord. They were previously asked to leave the area and did not.
Three Key Questions:
1. Is this protected speech/expression?
2. Is there a potential violation of college policy or state law?
3. Is this a bias incident?
Summary of Conversation:
1. Would this be considered protected speech/expression? The disruption to the program is not covered under free speech. The chant, "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free” is protected speech.
2. We addressed the question as to whether or not the behavior violated state law and/or considered a hate crime? No. Is it a potential violation of college policy? Yes
For Student Conduct to consider
SECTION 6: Disruptive Conduct 6.01 Substantially interfering with the living, learning, or working environment of another individual.
SECTION 11: Failure to Comply11.04 Failing to comply with a reasonable mandate or restriction given by a college official.
3. Is this a bias incident? Yes and... Per our handbook. “A bias incident is characterized as a behavior or act—verbal, written, or physical—which is personally directed against or targets an individual or group based on perceived or actual characteristics such as race, color, religious belief, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, disability, veteran status, or age. Behavior reflecting bias may constitute a violation of Vassar College regulations.
Part of what we grappled with was that the chant was not bias, but that time and place of the chant made it so. Given that the chanting, which took place right outside of the classroom, where the speaker (at the very least) recognized the chant to mean for them “the forced removal of Jews from Israel”. Despite intent, the impact on the speaker was clear by his remarks and subsequent reflection on the event.
Follow up:
1. Forwarded to Student Conduct to review disruptive conduct and failure to comply
2. Worked to support student protesters and to discuss the chant and the need to be mindful of time and place.