UNC-Chapel Hill Faculty Protesting Student Suspensions by Withholding Final Grades

Following anti-Israel demonstrations, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill is facing backlash from faculty members who are withholding final grades in protest against the university's suspension of students involved in the protests.

The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill) is facing a dilemma after some professors and faculty members announced plans to withhold students' final grades in protest against the university's disciplinary action taken against students who participated in anti-Israel demonstrations on campus.

The controversy erupted after approximately 1,000 anti-Israel demonstrators set up a "Gaza solidarity encampment" at the South Building on campus. The encampment was eventually removed by police early Tuesday morning, April 30, 2024.

In response to the disciplinary action taken against the students involved in the protests, some professors planned to stage a protest by withholding final grades. In a statement, UNC-Chapel Hill Provost Chris Clemens and Graduate School Dean Beth Mayer-Davis addressed the apparent protest, stating that students depend on the timely submission of their grades for graduation, jobs, and athletic eligibility.

The university's letter to deans and department chairs emphasized that withholding grades is a violation of faculty and graduate teaching assistants' required duties and warned of potential sanctions against those found to have improperly withheld grades.

The controversy has gained widespread attention, with politicians weighing in on the matter. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-NC, tweeted that professors who withhold students' grades should be "immediately" terminated from the university.

Students have also expressed their concerns, with some receiving messages via the school portal informing them of the planned grade withholding. The message warned that if the administration did not reinstate the suspended students by May 13, students would see an NR (for Not Reported) on their transcripts.

In response to the apparent protest, the university emphasized the importance of excellence in education and the disservice it would do to students if grades were withheld.

The provost's office stated that it is "counting on your leadership in this matter" and that sanctions would be supported for any instructor found to have improperly withheld grades.

As the controversy continues, UNC-Chapel Hill plans to proceed with its scheduled commencement ceremony on May 11. Despite the protests, the university maintains that the damage caused by the encampment and the safety hazard it posed necessitated the disciplinary action taken against the students involved.

The protest by faculty members highlights the growing tension on college campuses over issues related to Israel and freedom of speech. Universities across the country are grappling with how to balance the rights of students to express their views while maintaining order and ensuring a safe learning environment for all.