Jewish Student Faces Suspension Amid Campus Protest Crackdown

A University of Florida student named Tess Segal was suspended for three years following her participation in a campus protest calling for divestment from weapons manufacturers and boycotts of Israeli academic institutions. The sophomore was arrested in April 2024 during the demonstration, though her legal case was later dismissed by the state. Despite this dismissal, university administrators proceeded with disciplinary actions against her.

The incident occurred amid heightened restrictions on campus protests implemented by university officials. According to the article, protesters were warned about potential punishment for violating these new rules. While a university disciplinary committee initially proposed a one-year suspension after finding Segal had not acted disruptively, the newly appointed dean of students extended this to three years, citing major disruption to university functions.

Segal reported significant academic consequences from the ban, including being unable to take her final exam and participate in a summer program to which she had been admitted. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression has become involved in the case, sharing documentation about the disciplinary process. The university declined to comment specifically on Segal's case, citing privacy laws.

The article presents this case in the context of broader actions against campus protests related to the Gaza conflict. The title references a "Trump antisemitism crackdown," suggesting these enforcement actions are connected to federal policies under the Trump administration. The situation highlights tensions between campus free speech, institutional policies, and political responses to demonstrations related to the Israel-Gaza conflict.