Alum Banned from Campus

In the wake of last March’s unprecedented ECPD arrest of 13 students outside the Cutler MajesticTheater, followed in April by the Boston Police arrest of 118 students in the Boylston Place alley, it should have surprised no one that Emerson’s commencement would be the site of further dissent. Clearly the administration anticipated this. Among other alterations to the ceremony, President Bernhardt did not hold the traditional role of handing out diplomas but, instead, stood at the tail end of the receiving line as students crossed the stage, receiving their diplomas from the interim provost, Jan Breslin.

Among the wearing of keffiyehs, raising of fists, and periodic chants, individual students found their own ways to express their anger and dismay at the violent silencing of campus dissent over the war on Gaza, as well as Emerson’s ever-rising tuition, and at President Bernhardt’s refusal to meet with students and discuss these issues. Among these students, a Palestinian WLP graduate boldly elected to drape a Palestinian flag across the stage podium. The flag was quickly removed (as were the many discarded caps and gowns tossed at Bernhardt’s feet). When asked by DN what factors led them to take this decision, the graduate succinctly replied, “Anti-Palestinian rhetoric allowed this to happen.”

One month later, this alum received an unsigned email from no identified individual or office other than “Emerson College” that reprimanded them for their “egregious” and “grievous” behavior and for being in “direct violation of Emerson College policies.” In a tone clearly intended to shame the student, the nameless author wrote, “As the commencement ceremony was an irreplaceable opportunity for students and their families to celebrate the culmination of years of work, sacrifice, and effort, it was not an appropriate venue for protest or disruptive demonstrations.”

Among other sweeping penalties, the alum was informed that they “are no longer permitted to be present on any property owned or controlled by Emerson, and…no longer permitted to participate in any events or activities sponsored or organized by Emerson College.” (This raises the question of whether venues such as the Colonial and Paramount theaters must check patrons’ IDs to evict banned individuals.)

Setting aside that the actions at commencement did not happen on Emerson’s campus but at Boston University, reprimands from the college normally include a list of specific policies violated. Not only did the letter fail to include such details, but at least one non-Palestinian student who crossed the stage with a Palestinian flag has informed DN that they received no such communication.

“If an Israeli student had draped an Israeli flag over the podium, one wonders if they would have been as roundly rebuked under this administration,” commented VMA Associate Professor Vinicius Navarro. According to the reprimanded student, “When your political beliefs and affiliations interfere with how you are disciplined, then some of us are held to different community standards.” Reflecting on their overall response to the letter, they say that, given everything that’s transpired over the past year, “it is hard to take it seriously.”

“In many of our classes, we extol the historical value of acts of civil disobedience in achieving human rights in many parts of the world. What principles are being promoted by our present leadership?” stated Professor John Gianvito (VMA). “Learn about the demonstrable value of such tactics throughout history,  but don’t practice this yourself or, if you do, don’t expect the college to have your back.”