The prolonged dispute over a Virginia Commonwealth University student’s degree has reached its conclusion, with pro-Palestine activist Sereen Haddad finally set to receive her diploma after an 82-day delay.
For over two months, Haddad’s bachelor’s degree in psychology was withheld by Virginia Commonwealth University officials, who initially cited alleged violations of university policy stemming from her role in an unauthorized campus gathering.
The incident in question occurred on April 29, 2024, when approximately 40 students gathered on the lawn outside the James Branch Cabell Library for a pro-Palestine protest. This peaceful assembly reportedly escalated after university staff and police intervened, ordering students to relocate and leading to one arrest for non-compliance.
Sereen Haddad subsequently received notification that her participation in the event constituted a breach of the VCU Student Code of Conduct, jeopardizing the issuance of her degree pending a review of her behavior, an action that sparked significant debate regarding academic freedom.
A prominent figure in student activism at VCU, Haddad has consistently been at the forefront of campus demonstrations advocating for Palestinian rights and protesting U.S. involvement in the ongoing Gaza conflict, becoming a vocal advocate for campus rights.
The university faced considerable public scrutiny in recent weeks as Haddad brought her case to national attention, garnering coverage from reputable news outlets like The Guardian and Democracy Now, which questioned the rigidity of VCU’s university policy application.
In a significant development announced via Instagram on Monday, Haddad confirmed that the VCU Student Conduct Board had officially cleared her of any wrongdoing, unequivocally affirming her right to receive her degree and highlighting the critical role of student advocacy.
This resolution comes amidst a grim backdrop, with the Gaza Health Ministry reporting a devastating toll of over 60,000 Palestinian casualties in Israel’s response to the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks by Hamas, underscoring the profound human cost of the conflict.
