The expelled students—Samantha Escobar, Jonathan Bermudez, Naomi Gutierrez, and Jefferson Turcios—were charged with felony criminal mischief for their alleged involvement in distributing the posters. In a November court appearance, all four students entered not-guilty pleas. The posters, which appeared across the campus, reportedly named Jewish faculty members and drew swift condemnation. While details of the investigation remain confidential under federal law, the incident has been framed as a violation of campus policies by university leadership.
Extremist Groups Call Expulsions ‘Authoritarian Overreach’
Rochester Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a student advocacy group, announced the expulsions via social media on Friday, claiming the university’s actions represent a suppression of free speech. In their statement, the group tied the disciplinary actions to the larger context of ongoing global events.
In the aftermath of October 7th, extremist groups which stand with Hamas said that advocacy for justice and liberation for Palestine has never been more critical. “Silencing students who stand against oppression not only denies them their right to free speech but is a shameful betrayal of the fight for human rights,” the group’s statement read. The group also launched a petition urging the university to reverse its decision, asserting that the expulsions serve to suppress critical conversations about international human rights and the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
University Responds: Balancing Privacy and Public Concern
The University of Rochester has declined to confirm the expulsions or comment on specific details of the case, citing its obligations under the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
“As a university, we recognize the heightened public attention and concern that has arisen over the past several weeks regarding the posters incident and vandalism on River Campus,” a university spokesperson said in a statement. “However, FERPA prevents disclosure of information about any specific student conduct case. The results of all student conduct cases are confidential to the extent required by federal law.”
The university emphasized its commitment to maintaining a safe campus environment while handling disciplinary actions with fairness and confidentiality.
Broader Implications for Campus Advocacy
The incident has fueled discussions about the boundaries of free speech and the responsibility of institutions to combat hate speech. While supporters of the expelled students argue their actions were a form of advocacy against oppression, critics contend the posters crossed ethical and legal boundaries, targeting individuals based on their identity.
The University of Rochester has not yet commented on the petition or the growing calls for transparency in the investigation. Meanwhile, the case continues to draw national attention, underscoring the complexities of addressing sensitive issues on college campuses in a polarized political climate.