‘ADULTING 101’: University of Florida gets tough on anti-Israel protesters

Students and staff who violate the University of Florida’s protest policies may be suspended, banned from campus, or fired from their jobs at the school.

By World Israel News Staff

The University of Florida is warning students and staff of serious consequences, should they fail to abide by the school’s policies regarding acceptable protest as chaotic anti-Israel demonstrations sweep campuses across the U.S.

In a directive published by Fox News, the University of Florida laid out clear guidelines for campus protests.

The institution warned that students who violate the policy will be subject to a three-year ban from campus and suspension, while staff may face punitive action up to and including termination from employment at the school.

The memo stated that students would be allowed to practice free speech, expressing their political viewpoints while holding protest signs.

However, the university specified that violent or inciteful chants, along with he placement of signs in a semi-permanent manner on campus, would not be permitted.

Erecting tents or other structures, along with possessing sleeping bags, were specifically noted to be violating the rules, in a policy that appeared to be aimed at preventing the establishment of an encampment.

Protesters cannot use amplification, such as bullhorns, to increase the volume of their chants, nor will they be able to block pedestrian traffic or entrances to structures on campus.

“This is Adulting 101,” University of Florida VP of Communications James Wegmann told Fox News when asked about the protest rules. “Actions have consequences.”

According to a local news outlet, approximately 50 people have been protesting against Israel at the Gainesville campus since last Wednesday.

Gov. Ron DeSantis recently instructed the University of Florida to ease the transfer process, including extending application deadlines and relaxing some credit requirements, for out-of-state students looking to enroll at the school.

Presumably, many of those students are Jewish or Israeli, and seeking refuge from antisemitic and anti-Israel protests that have roiled campuses in other parts of the country.