Florida State University has suspended a student group after its members interrupted a meeting of the university’s governing board with pro-Palestinian chants.
FSU’s chapter of Students for a Democratic Society has lost its recognized student organization status until May 15, 2025. It has an opportunity to appeal the decision by the end of the week. Among other things, the move means the group can’t take part in official university events.
“As an educational institution, Florida State University welcomes free inquiry, diverse thought, rigorous debate and peaceful assembly,” FSU spokeswoman Amy Farnum-Patronis said. “However, students and student organizations may not disrupt university business, student learning or the normal operations of the university.”
But the group says it “strongly condemns” the decision and vows to continue operating regardless.
“SDS recognizes this as a part of a greater surge of political repression across U.S. colleges against organizations that stand with Palestine,” it wrote in an Instagram post Monday.