After over a month of being investigated by the University, Evan Scope Crafts faced three choices: accept a two-semester probation, prove he did not commit any violations or appeal all consequences.
Scope Crafts is one of the four protesters the University investigated after they entered University offices on Dec. 8 and read a list of demands in protest of the University relieving two teaching assistants from their position for commenting on the Israel-Hamas war.
According to an email from the Office of the Dean of Students to the protestors on Feb. 6, the University accused the protestors of disruptive conduct and unauthorized entry into the office of Allan Cole, the dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work who originally chose to relieve the TAs.
The consequences include a deferred suspension lasting until Dec. 31, prohibition of contact with staff in the Dean of Social Work’s suite and a three-page paper reflecting on their actions. The University gave the students until Feb. 13 to decide if they wanted to accept or appeal the consequences or entirely deny the violations.
Scope Crafts chose to accept all consequences on Feb. 13, along with the other subjects of the investigation, Sameeha Rizvi, Valkyrie Church and an anonymous student.
Due to the students’ lack of prior conduct history, they will face a deferred suspension, meaning they will continue their time in the University, but if they violate any UT Austin or UT Systems rules, they will face immediate suspension lasting up to two semesters. Even after suspension, these sanctions may affect participation in University programs such as study abroad, according to the agreement.
If the students fail to follow any of the above consequences — or any new conditions the Office may add in the future — they will face immediate expulsion.
Although The Daily Texan did not receive Church and the anonymous student’s agreements listing their consequences, the students’ attorney, George Lobb, said they received the same consequences as Scope Craft.
UT alumna Sameeha Rizvi’s agreement did not include writing the paper or the possibility of expulsion as she already graduated. However, accepting the sanctions bans her from entering any University property until Dec. 31. Violating the ban may lead to arrest for criminal trespassing.
The University made an exception for her to attend her sister’s graduation, but it refused Lobb’s request to formally amend the exception into the agreement.
