AUSTIN, Texas — The University of Texas at Austin is reviewing last Friday’s confrontation and the subsequent social media postings surrounding an event sponsored by our Institute for Israel Studies.
The Office of the Dean of Students and the Dean of the College of Liberal Arts have begun interviewing students, faculty and staff and are reviewing the incident to determine whether members of the university community violated any university rules. University police, after responding to a call from the event, determined that none of the actions at the event rose to the level of a criminal offense.
The Palestine Solidarity Committee filed a complaint Nov. 18 with the Office of Institutional Equity and the Office of University Compliance Services alleging violations of anti-discrimination laws and policy and violations of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. Those allegations will be reviewed fully under regular university policies and procedures.
“The University of Texas at Austin strongly defends and supports free speech for all members of the university community. We will be guided by those values as we review the recent events,” said President Gregory L. Fenves.
“The freedom to engage in challenging conversations openly and responsibly is absolutely vital to what we do. Our students and faculty benefit from an environment that encourages this free exchange of ideas — and in which everyone is able to both share their views and let others do the same.”
*Statement updated on Nov. 19
