Harvard University is set to introduce new regulations affecting protests and the use of public spaces on campus. According to a draft document acquired by The Crimson, the institution aims to ban chalking, unapproved signs, and overnight camping. This comes in the wake of frequent pro-Palestine demonstrations, including a persistent 20-day encampment in Harvard Yard that began in October 2023.
The document, which is a cooperative effort from Harvard's Office of General Counsel and the Working Group on Campus Space Use, outlines a plan to tame protest tactics used by activists. Interim President Alan M. Garber '76 and his administration are behind these changes, and Harvard spokesperson Jason A. Newton noted that while the policies are still under review, they will be communicated to the Harvard community when finalized. In fact, Newton asserted, "The draft document obtained by the Crimson is an earlier version that was in review and may not accurately indicate the current status of guidance regarding a particular topic"
Harvard's new rules would bring its policies in line with other Ivy League schools, albeit with stricter restrictions on activities like amplified noise and chalking, which are allowed under certain conditions at institutions like Yale University and the University of Pennsylvania. The draft policy indicates violations could incur financial repercussions and discipline referrals. Regulations around alcohol distribution at campus events align with pre-existing rules, but the fresh policy changes directly confront protest actions that have been tagged by some as free speech.
Particular attention is being called to the need for prior approval from the University before filming or photographing others, a provision that appears to be a response to privacy concerns, especially among pro-Palestine protest participants. As for event hosting, the University is pushing for them to be by a "designated Harvard affiliate or affiliate group sponsor," which puts organizations like the unrecognized Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine and Harvard Feminist Coalition in a tight spot, these groups have been responsible for past demonstrations. Furthermore, the policy would ban events co-sponsored with non-Harvard organizations, unless expressly allowed by site-specific policies.
While interim policies receive mixed reactions, the compelling question for many, like former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers is enforcement. "These policies, like many that have been promulgated, are fine and reasonable," Summers told The Crimson. "The issue is that the University, over the last year, has consistently failed to act and impose sanctions when policies are violated and has been slow to implement policies on behalf of Jewish student groups." Jeffrey S. Flier, co-president of the Council on Academic Freedom at Harvard, emphasized to The Crimson the importance of how these rules "will be implemented, and violations handled with appropriate disciplinary actions."
