UPDATE: SJP Loyola on probation

UPDATE: Students affiliated with Loyola University student group Students for Justice in Palestine attended an administrative hearing on Oct. 30 and were found guilty on one of six charges brought against them after they tried to enroll in a Taglit-Birthright Israel trip on Sept. 9.

During the four-hour hearing, Loyola SJP responded to the six charges against them, which include bias-motivated discrimination, harassment and bullying and violations of demonstration policies, but the students were only found guilt of violating the free expression and demonstration policy because the group did not properly register its impromptu action, according to a Loyola SJP press release.

Following last week’s hearing, Loyola’s administration put Loyola SJP on probation for the rest of the 2014–15 academic year and mandated that the group has to attend interGroup dialogue training.

Hillel, the student group that manned the Taglit-Birthright Israel table, was also found guilty of failing to properly register their event but received a different punishment, according to SJP Loyola.

“Despite the fact that both Hillel and SJP were found responsible for failing to properly register their events, Hillel is merely required to attend a training on how to register events, while Loyola SJP was sanctioned with Probation until the end of the school year—putting the group at risk for suspension for any further violations.  SJP is also required to attend an InterGroup Dialogue Training, a re-education program of sorts, which the notice states:  ‘is an effort to support SJP’s skill development in exercising alternatives to approaching difficult dialogues,’” SJP Loyola’s press release read.

In an email to Palestine in America, Loyola’s communication director Steve Christensen denied that the school ruled unfairly on the issue concerning the two student organizations. On Oct. 21, before the hearing, both organizations received a letter on detailing the formal allegations against the groups. Both student groups were offered an opportunity to review the Preliminary Investigation Report prepared by the Office of Student Conduct and Conflict Resolution, Christensen said.

Christensen’s email read:

“Hillel has been found responsible for violating the University’s ‘Solicitation Policy.’ All tabling events held by student organizations must be approved by the Office of Student Activities and Greek Affairs. In this instance, Hillel had not received the required approvals for a table that the organization had set up to invite students to sign up for a non-Loyola-affiliated experience [Birthright Israel]. As an outcome, Hillel’s officers are to work with the Office of Student Activities and Greek Affairs to assist in bolstering training and providing information for other student organizations regarding the importance of registering events on campus, specifically tabling events. Students for Justice in Palestine has been found responsible for violating the University’s ‘Free Expression and Demonstration Policy,’ specifically section 506(2), which requires prior registration and approval from the Dean of Students Office to hold an organized demonstration. Students for Justice in Palestine has been placed on probation for the rest of the 2014–15 academic year. The group will also work with the Office of Student Diversity and Multicultural Affairs to participate in training related to inter-group dialogue methods to expand the group’s knowledge and skills in engaging in difficult and meaningful discussions.”

Following its suspension in September, Loyola SJP was reinstated after group leaders met with with university staff from Student Activities and Greek Affairs, the Damen Student Center and the Office of the Dean of Students to discuss expectations for communication and the use of university facilities, Christensen said.

“Neither group has appealed the decision at this time. With these resolutions, the University considers this incident to be closed,” he said in an email to Palestine in America on Nov. 3.