Harvard faculty removed from library for protest

Harvard University administrators have temporarily suspended multiple faculty members from the university’s main library after more than two dozen people held a silent “workout” to protest the treatment of student demonstrators who were temporarily suspended from the library for a similar demonstration.

Last month, an estimated 30 pro-Palestinian student supporters held a silent workshop at Widener Library after distributing keffiyehs and posters in front of the building with slogans such as “Israeli Bombs Harvard Pays.” accordingly Harvard Crimson. Inside the library, they read quietly with signs bearing similar phrases taped to their laptops. As a result of the demonstration, more than a dozen students were banned from accessing the library for two weeks.

On Thursday, faculty received the same treatment.

Faculty Suspensions

Erik Baker, a lecturer in the Department of History of Science, was one of the protest participants. wrote on social media He said he and others were suspended for training last week.

“My faculty colleagues and I were banned from the Widener Library for two weeks as punishment for reading silently while displaying excerpts from the Library’s statement of values,” he wrote.

The quoted quote reads: “Adopt different perspectives.”

Another professor, speaking anonymously, confirmed that approximately 25 faculty members were suspended from the library for two weeks for their role in the protest. According to a copy of the suspension notice shared by faculty members, protest participants “gathered for the purpose of attracting people’s attention by displaying tent cards.” The move violated university policy, according to the letter signed by Widener Library administration.

The letter said, “As you know, demonstrations and protests are not allowed in libraries.”

“Physical access to Widener Library will be suspended starting today until November 7,” the letter said, adding that affected faculty members may still request pickup at other library locations. “Their online access to library resources and services will not be affected,” the statement said.

Harvard refused to confirm the suspension when contacted. Inside Higher Education on Thursday.

Martha Whitehead, president of the Harvard library system, published a statement Emphasizing the role of libraries as places of learning.

“The trainings are a form of silent protest,” he wrote. “Recent experiences have involved public group workshops where participants sit quietly and display signs relevant to their case. Some might argue that it wasn’t disruptive, it wasn’t noisy, and other seats were available, so it was acceptable in an area where protests are prohibited. “They see this as no different than the free expression of an individual using a laptop with political stickers or wearing a t-shirt with a political message.”

But others, he continued, “take the view that a work directs attention to a particular message—otherwise why would it be kept in a community space—and is thus inherently subversive and contrary to the purpose of library reading?” room.”

Whitehead stated that library protests were incompatible with the nature of the place.

“The library should be a sanctuary for its community,” he wrote. “This means it is a place where individuals know they are welcome to exercise their right to access the space, the collections and diverse ideas that help develop their own knowledge and understanding. If our library spaces become sites of protest and demonstration, silent or silent, whatever their message, they will be diverted from their vital role as places of learning and research.”

His statement did not mention the removal of students or faculty members from the library.

Mixed Reactions

Originally Baker’s social media post and later Red—Observers expressed mixed reactions. While some signaled support, others argued that the suspensions were a natural consequence of breaking university rules.

“I can’t believe they actually doubled down on this. I don’t know a single librarian or library staff who supports measures like this. And the reasons are… ridiculous. What’s going on????” Amanda H. Steinberg, librarian at the Harvard Fine Arts Library wrote to x.

Others were of the opposite opinion.

“What you and your colleagues did was knowingly break a university rule to protest the punishment of a group of students who knowingly broke the same rule. And now you’re being treated the same as them,” Steven McGuire, American Board of Trustees and Alumni Council Campus Freedom Paul and Karen Levy Fellow, He wrote a response to Baker on social media. “Maybe the rule should be changed, but at least be honest about what you’re doing.”

Council for Academic Freedom at Harvard faculty group Founded in 2022 to promote free expression on campus; He expressed concern about the ban on education and subsequent suspension of students. One column RedCAFH co-chair and Harvard professor Melanie Matchett Wood argued: “Students who sat quietly and studied did not interfere with normal campus activities, and thus Harvard has no compelling reason to prohibit their speech. In fact, our commitment to free speech requires that we allow it.”

In an email Inside Higher EducationWood said the council is considering its next steps. While he noted the group had no immediate follow-up statement, he expressed disappointment personally and as co-chair of the council with the suspensions.

“The absurdity of this outcome underscores the problems with the way Harvard sought to regulate silent protests,” Wood wrote. “Students and faculty should have the right to read and study quietly in the library. They can and should read alongside others whose clothing, political stickers, or reading lists represent viewpoints with which they disagree.”