Earlier this year, law enforcement dismantled a pro-Palestinian protest site at George Washington University, and according to Moataz Salim, they sprayed his hands and arms with pepper spray so extensively that the pain lingered for several days.

Salim, a clinical psychology graduate student who lost over 160 family members in Gaza, decided to take a break from his studies following the incident—not only to focus on activism but also to avoid potential actions against him by the university.

At 27, Salim has spent his summer advocating, joining forces with Congress members, and participating in protests, including recent ones at both the Democratic National Convention in Chicago and during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s controversial trip to Washington.

While he and others are facing disciplinary hearings related to their participation in the protest encampment, Salim believes that students will not shy away from making their voices heard once classes start again.

“My peers and I aren’t facing these consequences for the sake of fun. We’re doing it because it’s the right thing to do,” he stated.

With the start of the fall semester at many colleges, school leaders are bracing for another possible increase in student activism. The previous academic year concluded tumultuously with ongoing anti-war protests disrupting graduation events and affecting the academic progress of some students.

This summer saw a decrease in protests as students dispersed, but the issues fueling the activism remain largely unchanged since the spring. While some high-profile college leaders have resigned, many institutions have not significantly altered their investment practices—a key demand from protestors that is complex to address. International negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza remain fragile, and some congressional representatives are finding political leverage by engaging in the ongoing campus unrest discussions.

As young activists prepare to regain momentum, they will encounter stricter regulations at various colleges. Michael Roth, president of Wesleyan University in Connecticut, aims to apply lessons learned from the turmoil of the past year. He advocates for a nuanced approach to handling protests rather than implementing a blanket policy.

“Creating a space for expression, free from intimidation, should be fostered,” he articulated. “However, if it escalates into intimidation or harassment, it is the university’s duty to intervene.”

Stricter Regulations and Club Bans

A protest encampment at Indiana University Bloomington lasted nearly 100 days until students voluntarily dismantled it in reaction to new “expressive activities” policies that came into effect on August 1. According to Bryce Greene, head of the Palestine Solidarity Committee at the school, these policies effectively prohibit encampments and require prior approval for signs and temporary structures. Additionally, protests must take place from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m., as reported by the Herald-Times, a part of the YSL News Network.

These rules were instituted after the university faced criticism for silently altering an event policy established in 1969 that previously allowed tents and other “structures” without pre-approval requirements. This led to over 50 arrests, as reported by the Indianapolis Star, part of the YSL News Network. The Monroe County prosecutor’s office described the amendment process as “constitutionally dubious” and opted not to charge many individuals taken into custody, according to the Herald-Times.

Greene, who is also a doctoral student involved in the protests at Indiana University, had his charges dismissed. He noted that while students perceive the new regulations as a threat to their protest rights, they remain committed to ensuring their voices are heard.

“This means we need to be extremely aware of how the university plans to curb our actions, and we must approach our protests creatively,” he explained. “Sometimes we align with the rules if it serves us well, but our main focus for the fall is to reignite the energy we felt over the summer, mobilizing people for rallies, marches, and specialized training.”

Last year, many student activists coordinated through various clubs, some of which will face prohibitions as the new academic year commences. At George Washington University, the chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace, an organization characterized as anti-Zionist, have been suspended until spring 2026, according to the university’s disciplinary club list.

Julia Metjian, a university spokesperson, commented that the institution “has a responsibility to address breaches of university policy, irrespective of the nature of the message at the protests.”

Consequences for Protesters: Disciplinary Actions Differ Across Institutions

Allie Wong, a doctoral candidate, recounted her experience of being arrested outside a student-occupied building at Columbia University in New York City this past spring. Police officers threw her to the ground, causing injuries to her hand, bruised ribs, and significant swelling on her head. Yet, she mentioned that the trespassing charge against her was later arrested during a night of protests, but she was one of the few students who did not face repercussions from her university.

“On that day, I clearly informed my department head of my intention to get arrested,” she stated, pondering that her request might have played a role in preventing officials from penalizing her. “I believe this could be a factor.”

Recently, Republican members of Congress criticized the university for allegedly failing to sufficiently discipline student protesters who breached school regulations last semester. Disciplinary records provided to the House education committee revealed that out of 22 students detained after a building occupation, 18 were restored to “good standing.” Three received interim suspensions.

This week, Republicans escalated their scrutiny of the university, issuing a subpoena for records of any discussions among top administrators concerning antisemitic incidents on campus since October 7.

Wong, who expressed lingering trauma from the violent experience of her arrest, opted to take a break from organizing activities over the summer. The 38-year-old turned off notifications for the Signal chat used by her peers in the Columbia University Apartheid Divest coalition, spent time abroad with family, and began seeing a new therapist to help process her experiences.

“It was quite a dramatic event, and I didn’t fully comprehend its physical impact until later — the anxiety, the stress, and how it manifested in my life,” she shared.

Meanwhile, Wong mentioned that her fellow students have been organizing healing circles and training sessions to prepare for a renewed round of actions in the fall. Although the university encountered backlash earlier this year concerning modifications to its protest regulations, an assembly of faculty and students has been revising how the campus, which has become a focal point of national divisions over the conflict, will manage protests moving forward.

“They will definitely see more from us,” she asserted.

The ramifications for protests against the war have varied greatly at different universities. For example, at Purdue University in Indiana, one student who faced disciplinary measures was instructed to read the book “Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win,” according to the campus newspaper. (Trevor Peters, a university spokesperson, noted in an email that federal privacy laws prevent Purdue from commenting on individual students or cases, but there is a protocol for assessing and determining sanctions.)

A federal judge acts at UCLA

Meanwhile, at the University of California, Los Angeles, the administration has “taken the hardest stance possible” against faculty and students arrested during protests, as stated by Graeme Blair, an associate political science professor and member of Faculty for Justice in Palestine.

In early May, over 200 individuals were detained following an assault by counterprotesters on a previously peaceful pro-Palestinian gathering. In June, many more were arrested when students attempted to re-establish the encampment, as reported by the Daily Bruin, the university’s newspaper.

Blair estimated that around 70 students received notifications regarding disciplinary action against them, and he anticipates that most cases will be addressed before the academic year begins in October. However, he noted that the uncertainty has been especially challenging. The disciplinary actions have hindered students from graduating, disrupted their plans for summer employment, and restricted their access to housing.

“This punishment system is disconnected from the intentions of students, who were merely trying to advocate for vulnerable individuals and to engage in discussions about critical issues in society,” Blair remarked.

Michael V. Drake, the president of the broader University of California system, cautioned last week that his 10 campuses will be refining the regulations concerning protests. These guidelines will include strict prohibitions against encampments and face coverings intended to hide protester identities.

“Effective communication and uniform enforcement of policies and laws are essential for maintaining a delicate balance between free speech rights and the need to safeguard community safety and ensure essential University functions,” Drake stated in a public announcement.

This statement followed a ruling by a federal judge regarding campus access, in response to a lawsuit filed by three Jewish UCLA students. The students claimed their access to campus facilities was unfairly restricted during recent protests. University lawyers contended that the students did not have legal grounds for a lawsuit. The university maintained that the court ruling was unnecessary for compliance with federal anti-discrimination regulations.

U.S. District Judge Mark C. Scarsi issued a strong rebuke, stating that if the university fails to ensure that its usual programs and facilities are accessible to Jewish students, it will have to limit these services for all students as well.

“This situation is not only unimaginable but a violation of our constitutional guarantee of religious freedom. Jewish students were barred from parts of the UCLA campus because they refrained from renouncing their faith,” he declared in his preliminary order. The university has since filed an appeal.

Will agreements with protesters influence the outcome?

The turbulence experienced over the past academic year underscored

George Boggs, who once served as a community college president in California, reflected on a protest he was a part of during the 1990s. This incident arose after a discussion regarding faculty hiring that led to comments from trustees perceived as racist by students and professors of color. In response, the students decided to organize a protest encampment, reminiscent of those later set up following the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Boggs noted that while the protest took place in a different era, he learned an essential lesson: it is vital to listen to students. He emphasized, “They aren’t the adversaries. We must understand that our contemporary Jewish students do not represent the Israeli government, nor do Muslim students stand for Hamas.”

Meanwhile, some universities, like Brown University, reached more positive resolutions this spring. The private institution in Rhode Island came to an agreement with student organizations at the end of April to bring an end to the protest encampment. As part of this arrangement, students were permitted to present their views to senior administrators regarding the university’s potential divestment from companies they argued support the oppression of Palestinians.

School officials are scheduled to vote on this issue in October. Eli Grossman, a key figure in this agreement, remains hopeful. Even though he graduated in the spring, the 24-year-old has managed to take breaks from his demanding new job in wildland firefighting to reconnect with fellow student activists.

“Disregarding this matter and allowing it to fester and generate ill will among students is far too costly for our learning environment,” he stated. “It isn’t worth upsetting a handful of donors with strong opinions.”