13 students excluded from ceremony due to suspensions or probationary periods for protesting Israeli assets divestment
Controversy and debate on campus over freedom of speech and civil disobedience versus disruption to ceremony
Harvard graduation disrupted by students denying diplomas for protest activities
Ongoing tensions in Middle East brought attention with civilian deaths and displacement caused by Israel-Hamas war
Students erected encampment on campus weeks prior, leading to wave of dissent and walkout
Protests at Harvard University's commencement ceremony disrupted the event as hundreds of students walked out in solidarity with 13 graduates who were denied their diplomas due to earlier protests supporting Palestinians and demanding Harvard divest from Israeli assets. The students had erected an encampment on campus weeks prior, similar to other nationwide protests that began at Columbia University in April. The omission of these students from the ceremony set off a wave of dissent among those invited, leading to the walkout.
Harvard planned to confer degrees to 1,539 students but excluded 13 due to suspensions or probationary periods for their protest activities. Some protesters were unhappy because they believed Harvard would allow participants to graduate under an agreement between the university and the Harvard Out of Occupated Palestine Coalition. However, this was not the case.
The students' actions sparked controversy and debate on campus, with some arguing for freedom of speech and civil disobedience while others criticized the disruption to the ceremony. The incident also brought attention to ongoing tensions in the Middle East and civilian deaths and displacement caused by the Israel-Hamas war.
Journalist Maria Ressa warned about the role of big technology companies and social media platforms in blurring lines between fact and fiction during her commencement speech, emphasizing that each individual is fighting their own battle for facts. Harvard Law School student Lea Kayali organized the protest as a show of civil disobedience to honor her friends who were denied their diplomas.
The incident marked a significant moment in campus activism and sparked discussions about tolerance for freedom of speech, intolerance, and the role of universities in addressing social issues.
Harvard planned to confer degrees to 1,539 students, but excluded 13 due to protest activities.
Some protesters were unhappy because they believed Harvard would allow participants to graduate under an agreement between Garber and the Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Coalition.
Accuracy
Hundreds of students walked out of Harvard commencement chanting 'Free, free Palestine'
13 Harvard students were penalized for participating in a protest encampment and were not allowed to receive diplomas alongside their classmates
Harvard planned to confer degrees to 1,539 students, but excluded 13 due to protest activities
Deception
(30%)
The article reports on protests at Harvard and UCLA regarding the disqualification of students involved in earlier protests. The author does not make any editorializing or pontification statements, but there are instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The article focuses on the walkout at Harvard and the return of pro-Palestinian protesters to UCLA, implying that these are the only significant events related to the protests. It also uses phrases like 'set off some of those invited' and 'bittersweet' to evoke emotions in readers. Additionally, it mentions that Harvard planned to confer 1,539 degrees but only excluded 13 students, which could be seen as an attempt to downplay the impact of the exclusion. The article also reports on the dismantling of encampments at colleges across the US and in other countries without mentioning any counter-protests or opposing viewpoints.
Some protesters were unhappy because they were under the impression Harvard would allow participants to graduate under an agreement between Garber and the Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Coalition.
Hundreds who attended annual graduation Thursday at Harvard College, Harvard University’s undergraduate college, staged a walkout to decry its disqualification of 13 students involved in earlier protests.
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered at Kerckhoff Patio before dozens heeded a protester’s megaphone-amplified call for a ‘takeover’ of nearby Dodd Hall.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to emotion. The author uses phrases like 'pro-Palestinian protests', 'disqualification of students', and 'inability to graduate' which can be seen as emotionally charged language. Additionally, the author mentions that some protesters were unhappy because they believed Harvard would allow participants to graduate under an agreement, implying a sense of betrayal. This is an appeal to emotion as it attempts to elicit sympathy for the protesters. The score is 85 because while there are instances of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to emotion, there are no formal or blatant logical fallacies present in the article.
]The end of encampments at some American college campuses this spring was not the end of pro-Palestinian protests at Harvard and UCLA.[
Hundreds who attended annual graduation Thursday at Harvard College staged a walkout to decry its disqualification of 13 students involved in earlier protests.
Some protesters were unhappy because they were under the impression Harvard would allow participants to graduate under an agreement between Garber and the Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Coalition.
Bias
(95%)
The article reports on protests at Harvard and UCLA regarding the exclusion of students from graduation due to their involvement in earlier protests. While the article does not take a clear position on the issue, it does use language that could be perceived as sympathetic towards the protesters, such as 'decry', 'disqualification', and 'bittersweet'. The article also mentions that some protesters were unhappy because they believed Harvard would allow them to graduate under an agreement. This implies that the author may have some understanding or agreement with the protesters' perspective.
Demonstrators have been informed that if they do not disperse, they will face arrest and possible disciplinary action, as well as an order to stay away from campus for 7 days.
Hundreds who attended annual graduation Thursday at Harvard College staged a walkout to decry its disqualification of 13 students involved in earlier protests.
Some protesters were unhappy because they were under the impression Harvard would allow participants to graduate under an agreement between Garber and the Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine Coalition.
Over 1,500 students and nearly 500 staff and faculty had petitioned for sanctions against companies that support the war in Gaza
Harvard planned to confer degrees to 1,539 students, but excluded 13 due to protest activities. Five other students were suspended and over 20 faced probation.
Student organizers believed they had reached an understanding with Harvard leaders that discipline would be lenient and graduating seniors would receive their degrees, but this was not the case.
Accuracy
Hundreds of students walked out of Harvard commencement chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’
13 Harvard students were penalized for participating in a protest encampment and were not allowed to receive diplomas alongside their classmates
Student speaker Shruthi Kumar recognized the students who were not graduating due to their participation in the protest
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position. The author quotes students who are protesting and supports their cause without providing any counter-arguments or perspectives from those who disagree with the students. The article also uses emotional manipulation by describing the students' actions as 'protests' and 'civil disobedience,' implying that they are noble actions when in reality, they were disruptive and potentially harmful to other students' graduation experience.
Student speaker Shruthi Kumar said ‘this semester our freedom of speech and our expressions of solidarity became punishable,’ generating prolonged cheers and clapping from graduates.
Hundreds of students in graduation robes walked out of the Harvard commencement on Thursday chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’ after weeks of protests on campus and a day after the school announced that 13 Harvard students who participated in a protest encampment would not be able to receive diplomas alongside their classmates.
Those in the encampment had called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for Harvard to divest from companies that support the war.
Fallacies
(85%)
The authors use inflammatory rhetoric by describing the students as 'protesters against the war between Israel and Hamas' and labeling them as 'Harvard's Leading Antisemites'. This is an appeal to emotion and a way to manipulate readers into having a negative opinion of the students. The authors also use loaded language when they describe the student encampment as 'voluntarily dismantled' and the decision not to allow students to graduate as 'jeopardizing their lives'. These are exaggerations that are not supported by evidence in the article.
]The group issued a statement late Wednesday saying the decision jeopardizes the post-graduation lives of the 13 students.[
Harvard's Leading Antisemites.
Bias
(80%)
The authors use language that depicts the students as 'protesters' and 'students in graduation robes who walked out of the Harvard commencement' without acknowledging their cause or reason for doing so. This is an example of disproportionate coverage and language that can be perceived as biased against the students. The authors also mention that some students chanted 'Let them walk, let them walk' in reference to allowing those 13 students to get their diplomas alongside their classmates, but they do not provide any context or explanation for why these students were punished in the first place. This is an example of biased omission.
Hundreds of students in graduation robes walked out of the Harvard commencement on Thursday chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’ after weeks of protests on campus and a day after the school announced that 13 Harvard students who participated in a protest encampment would not be able to receive diplomas alongside their classmates.
Some students chanted ‘Let them walk, let them walk’ during Thursday’s commencement, referring to allowing those 13 students to get their diplomas along with fellow graduates.
The decision by Harvard’s top governing board follows a recommendation Monday by faculty members to allow the 13 to receive their degrees despite their participation in the encampment. However, Harvard’s governing board said that each of the 13 were found to have violated the university’s policies by their conduct during the encampment protest.
Thirteen students were denied their diplomas during the Harvard commencement ceremony due to suspensions or probationary periods for protesting on behalf of Palestinians and demanding Harvard divest from Israeli assets.
Harvard Law School student Lea Kayali organized the protest as a show of civil disobedience to honor her friends who were denied their diplomas.
Journalist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Maria Ressa warned about the role of big technology companies and social media platforms in blurring lines between fact and fiction, stating 'It’s in your pockets. Each of us are fighting our own battle for facts'.
Accuracy
Thirteen students were denied their diplomas during the Harvard commencement ceremony due to suspensions or probationary periods.
Hundreds of students at Harvard College staged a walkout during graduation to decry the disqualification of 13 students involved in earlier protests.
Harvard planned to confer degrees to 1,539 students, but excluded 13 due to protest activities.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on the protest and the students being punished, while omitting important context about why these students were punished in the first place. The author also uses emotionally charged language such as 'plight' and 'worst days of their lives' to manipulate readers' emotions.
Speakers mentioned the turmoil on campus and told students to use their experiences this year to make the world a better place.
Many wore keffiyehs, waved Palestinian flags, and chanted or held signs and banners with slogans like, ‘For the martyrs’ and ‘For Gaza.’
Shruthi Kumar, who was chosen to give the senior English speech, was sharply critical of the Harvard administration, expressing disappointment at what she called an ‘intolerance for freedom of speech’ on campus.
The 13 students were allowed to join their peers in caps and gowns, but did not receive their diplomas at separate ceremonies later Thursday.
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains several examples of informal fallacies, specifically ad hominem attacks and appeals to authority. The author reports on the protest without providing context or analysis of the situation, which can lead to misunderstandings and misinformation. Additionally, there are instances of inflammatory rhetoric used by protesters that may sway readers' opinions.
The 13 should be allowed to receive their diplomas.
Bias
(80%)
The article demonstrates a clear bias towards the protesters and their cause. The author uses language that depicts the students being punished as 'unfairly' and 'politically pressured'. The author also quotes several students and speakers who express criticism of Harvard administration's decision to bar the 13 students from receiving their diplomas, while not providing any counter-perspective. The article also mentions that some in the crowd booed interim Harvard president Alan Garber during his speech, which further demonstrates a bias towards the protesters.
Many wore keffiyehs, waved Palestinian flags, and chanted or held signs and banners with slogans like, ‘For the martyrs’ and ‘For Gaza.’
Shruthi Kumar, who was chosen to give the senior English speech, was sharply critical of the Harvard administration, expressing disappointment at what she called an ‘intolerance for freedom of speech’ on campus. She also spoke out on behalf of the 13 who could not receive their diplomas.
Speakers mentioned the turmoil on campus and told students to use their experiences this year to make the world a better place.
The crowd erupted in applause, some chanting ‘shame, shame, shame,' while others rose in an ovation.
The decision shocked many who felt the protesters were being unfairly punished because of political pressure on university leaders.
Hundreds of students at Harvard College staged a walkout during graduation to decry the disqualification of 13 students involved in earlier protests.
Over 1,500 students and nearly 500 staff and faculty had petitioned for sanctions against companies that support the war in Gaza.
Student speaker Shruthi Kumar recognized the students who were not graduating due to their participation in the protest.
Accuracy
Harvard planned to confer degrees to 1,539 students, but excluded 13 due to protest activities.
Thirteen students were denied their diplomas during the Harvard commencement ceremony due to suspensions or probationary periods.
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position of students being punished for their freedom of speech. The author does not disclose any peer-reviewed studies or facts to back up their claims. The title itself is sensational and emotional, manipulating readers to believe there is a significant issue at hand.
Hundreds of students in graduation robes walked out of the Harvard commencement on Thursday chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’ after weeks of protests on campus and a day after the school announced that 13 Harvard students who participated in a protest encampment would not be able to receive diplomas alongside their classmates.
Student speaker Shruthi Kumar said ‘this semester our freedom of speech and our expressions of solidarity became punishable,’ she said to cheers and applause.
Those in the encampment had called for a ceasefire in Gaza and for Harvard to divest from companies that support the war.
Fallacies
(80%)
The article contains several instances of appeals to emotion and inflammatory rhetoric. The author reports the students' chants of 'Free, free Palestine' and 'Let them walk, let them walk', which can be seen as an appeal to emotion as they evoke a sense of sympathy for the cause. Similarly, student speaker Shruthi Kumar's statement that 'this semester our freedom of speech and our expressions of solidarity became punishable' is also an appeal to emotion, as it elicits feelings of frustration and injustice. The author also reports the students' calls for a ceasefire in Gaza and for Harvard to divest from companies that support the war, which can be seen as inflammatory rhetoric as they take a strong stance on a controversial issue. Additionally, the statement from the Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine coalition that 'the Corporation has proved itself to be a wholly illegitimate body' is also inflammatory rhetoric.
Hundreds of students in graduation robes walked out of the Harvard commencement on Thursday chanting ‘Free, free Palestine’
Student speaker Shruthi Kumar said 'this semester our freedom of speech and our expressions of solidarity became punishable’, she said to cheers and applause.
The group issued a statement late Wednesday saying the decision jeopardizes the post-graduation lives of the 13 students. ‘By rejecting a democratic faculty vote, the Corporation has proved itself to be a wholly illegitimate body,’ the group said.
Bias
(80%)
The article reports on students protesting for Palestinian rights and being punished by Harvard for doing so. The author does not express any bias towards the students or their cause, but the title of the article implies a pro-Palestinian stance. Additionally, there is a quote from one of the students stating that Harvard is silencing voices that challenge their donor base. This could be seen as an accusation of monetary bias on behalf of the student, but it is not explicitly stated by the author and should not be considered as definitive evidence.
][Harvard Out of Occupied Palestine coalition] has proved itself to be a wholly illegitimate body, and Garber an illegitimate president.[/
