UT-Austin offers probation to students arrested during protests

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The University of Texas at Austin has begun disciplining students arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations in April, reprimanding them for their behavior while offering them a chance to avoid suspension.

In letters sent to students this week and first reported by KUT, university officials said it would be appropriate to suspend students for their behavior during the protests, but that they would instead be given the option of “deferred suspension,” a form of probation that allows students to attend classes and prevents the disciplinary action from appearing on their diplomas.

“In recognition of our commitment to advancing education, we would like to offer you an alternative path to avoid suspension by demonstrating that you have learned from this experience,” one of the letters, obtained by The Texas Tribune, said.

Students who choose deferred suspension must agree to take an exam that tests their knowledge of university rules and agree not to appeal the decision. The status would be active until July 7, 2025.

Anyone who refuses this option will be suspended, the letter states. Students can also appeal against the disciplinary measures at a hearing at the university.

Ari Lenahan, a UT-Austin student who will graduate in December, said he was relieved the university offered him probation, since students at other universities across the country face harsher punishments after participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. He said it may be the best choice for him, since he plans to graduate this year.

“It is now much clearer where I stand, at least in the eyes of the university,” he said.

Lenahan’s account is still suspended, preventing him from registering for classes in the fall, but the letter he received Wednesday states that all suspensions will be lifted once his case is resolved.

Anne-Marie Jardine, a recent graduate, received a sanction letter for participating in a pro-Palestinian demonstration on April 24. Jardine was told she would be suspended for a year if she re-enrolled at UT-Austin. Jardine said she has not yet received her official diploma from the university.

Many other students under investigation have not yet been informed how the university plans to proceed with their cases. Sam Law, a graduate student who was arrested on April 29, said he expects the university to contact him soon.

In late April, more than 130 protesters were arrested during pro-Palestinian demonstrations on the UT-Austin campus. In a determined effort to disperse the protesters, police officers used pepper spray and stun grenades and attacked students with horses. Governor Greg Abbott deployed police to quell the protests and was involved in the arrests.

Those arrested were charged with trespassing, but Travis County District Attorney Delia Garza declined to pursue that charge.

In the wake of the protests, many students, faculty and free speech advocates questioned UT-Austin’s harsh response to the protests and criticized the state’s Republican leaders’ support of the arrests. Just a few years ago, Abbott had championed state legislation protecting free speech on college campuses, prompting free speech advocates to question who gets to benefit from free speech protections in Texas.

Meanwhile, UT-Austin officials have announced that they will take disciplinary action against students who violate campus rules. Seniors in the class of 2024 feared that their diplomas would be withheld from them, even though they were allowed to attend graduation ceremonies in the spring.

Sneha Dey contributed to this story.

Disclosure: The University of Texas at Austin has been a financial supporter of The Texas Tribune, a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization funded in part by donations from members, foundations and corporate sponsors. Financial supporters play no role in The Tribune’s journalism. A complete list can be found here.

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