László Molnárfi
UCD student Basim Butt is being brought to a disciplinary hearing at UCD, after he stated at the pro-Palestine walkout on the 28th of November that “UCD supports acts of genocide”, Aontacht Media can reveal.
The student in question, who is on a study abroad programme from Williams College in the United States, received an email on the 1st of December from his study away program provider, Arcadia, informing him of UCD’s intentions to bring him to a disciplinary meeting.
“Arcadia Abroad was notified that you were involved in a verbal altercation with two members of the Estate staff at University College Dublin, “ the letter reads, continuing to add that “you shouted intimidating statements of a strongly political nature directly at the staff member”. “You and others were shouting allegations that UCD supports acts of genocide. Given the nature of the comments, it is our understanding that UCD has plans to initiate a disciplinary hearing related to the conduct, “ the letter explains.
Separately, a letter from UCD sent on the 2nd of December confirms that he is being brought to a disciplinary hearing, for lack of “respect for others”, “failure to produce” student card, “causing health and safety risks to yourself or others”, “attempting to occupy or use University property without permission”, incitement to breaching the rules, and finally, for breaching the 3.3 of the Student Code which forbids “any form of violence (including assault), indecent, abusive, threatening or offensive behaviour”.
In addition to his disciplinary hearing at UCD, Arcadia is also initiating its own, with charges of abusive behaviour, disorderly conduct, harassment, non-compliance and threatening behaviour.
Concurrently, another student has also received a notice, for filming UCD Estates “without their permission” and for “failure to produce” a student card, Aontacht Media has learned.
In both cases, the students are on-campus residents of UCD, and hence they are being brought to a meeting “conducted by a panel of personnel from Estates Services, independent from the Residence Management Team”, a kangaroo court in which the arbiters of justice are also the accusers.
These infractions allegedly took place during the pro-Palestine walkout on the 28th of November, supported by both UCD BDS and UCDSU, where students protested UCD’s ties to Israel through the Horizon Europe programme at UCD Village. They also allegedly took place on the 1st December, next to the N11 entrance, while a member of UCD Estates was recording students and members of the public on their mobile phone. According to international law, it is a legal obligation to prevent acts of genocide from occuring, and likewise to cease any and all material support to those perpetrating it. Basim is a participant of the UCD Break the Academic Chains of Zionism encampment, which has been in place for more than 90 days now, as well as at various protests around campus. Universities around the world are known to crack down on pro-Palestine solidarity, issuing fines, calling disciplinary hearings, suspending and expelling students as well as inviting law enforcement onto campus to remove protestors.
Basim at the UCD Break the Academic Chains of Zionism encampment.
“For 88 days, the UCD Encampment has stood as a legal peaceful student protest demanding that the university cut ties with Israeli institutions deeply embedded in weapons development and the Israeli military-industrial complex. Instead of engaging with these concerns—as NCAD did—UCD has responded by escalating intimidation, secrecy, and retaliation. Instead of addressing our central demand—reviewing partnerships with Technion, Ben-Gurion University, and others involved in weapons used in Gaza—UCD has focused its energy on threatening students, blocking dissent, and attempting to jeopardise my immigration status or academic standing, “ says Basim. “UCD and my study-away provider have initiated disciplinary proceedings based on unsubstantiated and inaccurate claims, including the assertion that I shouted “allegations that UCD supports acts of genocide.” This is not misconduct. It is freedom of speech—protected political speech grounded in evidence, backed by extensive reporting, echoed by journalists, academics and students alike, and the reality that forced, among others, Trinity College Dublin to revoke ties. ”, he continues. “They are coming after students, not because we are disruptive, but because we are standing against genocide, against scholasticide, and against the institutional complicity that allows both to continue, “ he concludes.
UCD has not yet responded to a request for comment.
This is a developing story.