Indiana University has suspended the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) for repeated disruptions and property damage during campus protests. The group, known for leading pro-Palestinian demonstrations, was ordered to cease operations immediately following an official university review of conduct violations tied to past academic years.
The Office of Student Conduct issued a cease-and-desist letter on August 15, 2025. The letter cited disorderly conduct, interference with university functions, and physical damage caused by the PSC during the 2023–24 and 2024–25 academic years. The group was instructed to halt all activity and submit an active membership list.
PSC’s faculty advisor, Amr Sabry, claimed the charges were vague and argued the timing was suspicious since the fall semester had not yet begun. However, the group has a documented history of organizing high-profile protests, including a 100-day encampment on Dunn Meadow in April 2024. That event resulted in more than 50 arrests within its first three days.
The PSC has also demanded that Indiana University sever all ties with Israel and called for the resignation of top administrators, including President Pamela Whitten. These demands were amplified through aggressive online campaigns and in-person demonstrations.
In response to ongoing unrest, the IU Board of Trustees adopted stricter protest policies in 2024. These rules banned tents, prohibited unauthorized signs, and limited expressive activities to the hours of 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Board Chair W. Quinn Buckner emphasized the university’s obligation to protect free speech while also ensuring safety, learning, and order on campus.
Legal challenges have followed. In 2024, a federal judge temporarily blocked parts of IU’s protest policy, stating they were likely unconstitutional and infringed on students’ First Amendment rights. Nevertheless, Indiana University has stood firm in its stance against escalating campus disruptions, especially as scrutiny over antisemitism in higher education intensifies.
The U.S. Department of Education previously opened an investigation into Indiana University in March 2025, focusing on allegations of antisemitism and hostile campus environments. That investigation remains ongoing.
