Northern Virginia VCU student denied diploma after participating in pro-Palestinian protests

[SunSeeker]

12. VCU allows free speech. You just can't illegally camp on school property after being told to leave.

Unfortunately for her, she participated in an illegal encampment, which is not protected speech.

In a statement to WTOP, VCU said students who held an unauthorized event on the campus were warned to disband but refused to leave the campus library’s lawn.

“Several students involved in the protests were seniors set to graduate on May 10. Per Student Affairs’ standard procedures, initially approved in 2013, when seniors and graduate students are involved in a possible or alleged conduct violation, they receive a letter giving them advance notice of the potential ramifications if they are found responsible,” the statement read.

The statement also addressed the hold on Sereen’s diploma, adding that until the “student conduct process has been fully resolved,” some students will not receive their diplomas.

As this CNS video shows (CBS requires you to follow the link to watch it on YouTube), the students erected tents and barricades after VCU said that they have freedom of speech, but encampments on school property would not be allowed. Police had to move in to remove the encampment after students refused to take down the encampment.