New College of Florida set to punish student protesters following boos at commencement
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New College of Florida is moving forward with disciplinary action against some students who participated in protests at the college’s commencement ceremony on May 17, according to a statement from the college and documents obtained by the Herald-Tribune.
In a statement, New College said it had filed five conduct violation complaints related to the school’s student code of conduct. A copy of a letter sent to a New College graduate and obtained by the Herald-Tribune states that a student protester had “(Failed) to Respond to Instruction” in reference to disruptive conduct.
New College President Richard Corcoran said in a statement that students could face consequences ranging from withholding degrees until they issue an apology letter or take mandatory classes on civil discourse to suspension or expulsion from New College. Rescinding an issued-diploma in higher education is rare — typically reserved for instances of plagiarism or cheating.
Prior to graduation, New College had posted an expectation of students to “conduct themselves in an appropriate manner, demonstrating respect for fellow graduates, guests, and speakers”
”We support and protect the right of free speech while resolutely insisting upon civil discourse,” New College’s statement read. “Disruptive activities by a few individuals at a ceremonial event attended by hundreds is not representative of either of these principles.”
During the college’s graduation ceremony, the student section erupted in boos, chanted “free Palestine” and expletives as Joe Ricketts, the billionaire founder of TD Ameritrade, spoke. Students also wore stoles bearing the flag of Palestine, following a national trend of higher education protests against the war in Gaza.
“They don’t care,” Ricketts said to Corcoran on stage after stopping his speech. “I hate it, but they really don’t care what I have to say.”
In an opinion column submitted to the Wall Street Journal, President Corcoran said students will get due process through the school’s upper-level conduct hearings.
“That students intermittently disrupted the proceedings was a disheartening reflection of the prevailing intolerance for diverse viewpoints in today’s society,” Corcoran said. “But that illiberal attitude hasn’t and won’t rule New College.”
Follow Herald-Tribune Education Reporter Steven Walker on Twitter at @swalker_7. He can be reached at sbwalker@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: New College of Florida to punish graduates who booed at commencement
