Rutgers University has suspended the New Brunswick chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) due to repeated violations of university policies and disruption of campus activities.
The suspension, which will remain in effect until at least July 4, 2025, was announced on July 25. The group is no longer recognized by the university and is prohibited from reserving rooms and participating in campus activities.
The decision comes after SJP’s four-day encampment last spring, which led to the postponement of 28 final exams. The university had previously suspended the group in December for disrupting classes and meals, vandalizing property, and other incidents. Although reinstated in January with a year’s probation, the group failed to comply with university directives and disrupted final exams, leading to the latest suspension.
Rutgers officials also announced new policies on academic freedom, including a prohibition on all student encampments, just 30 minutes after suspending SJP.
The encampment last spring ended peacefully with an agreement between SJP and Rutgers officials, including the establishment of a cultural center and acceptance of displaced students from Gaza.
