Harvard University began punishing students who were involved in campus anti-Israel protests.
The university suspended five students who occupied Harvard Yard and placed more than 20 on probation, The Harvard Crimson reported. The discipline involved students in Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine and a faculty member.
Harvard also prevented 12 seniors from graduating at commencement. A graduating senior was required to withdraw from the school for three semesters and a rising junior was forced to withdraw for two semesters, the Crimson said.
"Harvard is not allowing me to graduate this semester for my participation in the encampment," Suhaas Bhat, a senior, told a group of students, according to the Crimson. "I think it's a good time to think about what it means to go to this university and what it means to have freedom of speech and what our moral obligations are when 40,000 innocent people die."
Bhat said his Rhodes scholarship may be at risk due to his probation charge.
"Do these accolades mean anything if I do not actually live by the principles that they are recognizing?" Bhat told the Crimson. "Am I no longer an ideal Harvard student if I ask the university to live up to its own principles?"
Organizers with Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine ended their encampment last week after meeting with the university. At least 60 students were given disciplinary notices, though it is unknown how many were unresolved, the Crimson said.
Harvard reinstated 22 students from involuntary leaves of absences as part of an agreement to end the encampment, the Crimson said. Protesters will also meet with the school's governing board about divesting from Israel, the Crimson reported.
Harvard will hold commencement ceremonies Thursday.