Rutgers Suspends Students For Justice In Palestine Group

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — Rutgers University just suspended its Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) chapter, saying the student group has caused multiple disruptions on campus, and threatens the safety of other students.

Rutgers Police are also investigating vandalism alleged to be associated with SJP that occurred at the business school in Piscataway.

SJP Rutgers was notified Monday they were suspended, after university administration said they received "multiple complaints which allege Students for Justice in Palestine disrupted classes, a program, meals and students studying."

"Rutgers-New Brunswick has suspended organization activity for Students for Justice in Palestine in accordance with the university’s student organization policies and procedures," said university spokeswoman Dory Devlin.

She said Rutgers can suspend or shut down a student group if they "pose a substantial and immediate threat to the safety and well-being of others."

"There are also allegations of vandalism occurring at the Rutgers Business School while an (SJP) event was taking place," said Devlin. "All the alleged behavior violates the University Code of Student Conduct."

Students for Justice in Palestine did not respond when Patch asked if they had a response to the suspension. This means they cannot hold any future protests or rallies on the Rutgers campus until the suspension is lifted.

SJP held a pro-Palestine/cease-fire rally on Brower Commons last Wednesday. That event was attended by dozens of Rutgers students and professors; see photos from the rally above.

Also this week, Instagram suspended the SJP Rutgers' Instagram account twice and threatened to permanently delete it, SJP announced on their Instagram page. The students did not say why their account was suspended.

"With an appeal, we were able to retrieve it," said SJP Rutgers.

Columbia University and other top schools in the nation have suspended SJP chapters on their campuses. Columbia said they suspended their SJP chapter in November because they "repeatedly violated university policies related to holding campus events" and used "threatening rhetoric and intimidation."

In this public letter posted Tuesday, Rutgers chancellor Francine Conway said Rutgers Police are currently investigating a "recent incident that occurred at the Rutgers Business School."

She did not elaborate exactly what happened inside the business school.

Wrote Conway in her letter Tuesday:

"In recent weeks, our campus has witnessed a wide range of gatherings and events in response to the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. Some of these events have been characterized by moments of unrest that have caused members of our community to fear for their safety. While Rutgers–New Brunswick is a public institution that protects and values free speech and an open exchange of ideas, this exchange cannot come at the expense of individual and campus safety."

"Both individuals and Rutgers-affiliated organizations who violate the Rutgers University Code of Student Conduct and/or the New Jersey Code of Criminal Justice, known as Title 2c, will be held accountable," she warned, "with possible consequences up to and including expulsion."

Congressman Asks Rutgers To Cancel Two Pro-Palestine Speakers (Dec. 7)

Rutgers Palestinian Group Planned March, But Called It Off Last Minute (Oct. 13)