Student excluded for role in pro-Palestine encampment on Lancaster Uni campus can graduate

A student who was excluded from Lancaster University, barred from campus and reported to the police for his role in the pro-Palestine encampment on campus in May 2024 has been told he will be allowed to graduate.

Joe was in this third and final year of study at Lancaster University last year when he was suspended and barred from campus pending further investigation due to “unauthorised use of university property” and “threats to health and safety”.

He was reported to the police by the university alongside his expulsion, however, no formal charges were pressed due to a lack of evidence.

Sharing the news on the Lancaster Solidarity Camp Instagram page, Joe, who was then a third year, said: “I am grateful for everyone who stood by me during this difficult time and everyone that signed the petition or wrote an email to the university.

“Although, despite the uni’s best efforts, this is a victory and show of strength for our movement, we must remain focussed on the bigger picture.

“Whilst I graduated this year, every university in Gaza lies in ruin. The fact remains that our university is complicit in this hideous genocide. A crime that has disproportionately murdered children and continues to do so with our country’s support. We must do everything in our power to challenge them.”

Joe received news of his suspension via a letter from the university on Tuesday 4th June 2024. In the letter, he was informed of his exclusion and barring from campus and threatened with further disciplinary action.

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The letter, which has been seen by The Lancaster Tab, said that this was a result of him allegedly gaining “unauthorised access, out of hours, to University House” as well as having allegedly breached the University Discipline Regulations on the 4th June 2024. On that day, protestors involved in the pro-Palestine encampment in Alexandra Square, which had been ongoing since early May 2024, had occupied the Lancaster University vice-chancellor’s office overnight.

The university added that during the occupation Joe had breached several student discipline regulations, including anti-social behaviour, acting in a way that threatens the health and safety of himself or others or raises false alarm, and acting in a way that may potentially “bring the university or its partners into disrepute.” His alleged actions were also deemed by the university to cause “a risk of harm to others.”

Joe’s statement went on to say: “Today has shown that when we stand together there is nothing the university can do to punish us.” He called for other Lancaster students to join the cause, telling them that “now is the time.”

In a statement to the Lancaster Tab on 18th September 2024, Lancaster University said: “After an apparent break-in at University House, sightings of masked intruders on the roof, and a reported Health and Safety near-miss involving an object falling from height near a member of staff, an individual student was identified. Following a risk assessment, the student was temporarily suspended pending completion of the university’s internal disciplinary processes (under the University’s Student Discipline Regulations).

“This week, the university’s independent Board of Discipline met to consider the case and concluded that there was insufficient evidence to determine whether the student was in breach of university regulations.

“The case is now closed and the student’s degree has been confirmed.

“Lancaster University remains committed to freedom of speech and upholding the right to peaceful protest within the law and the university’s regulations, taking due account of our duty to maintain a safe and welcoming environment for all members of the university community.”

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• Lancaster University denies claims campus will transition to plant-based catering by 2027

Featured image via @lancsolidaritycamp on Instagram.