Harvard Law School Suspends Students’ Library Access After ‘Study-In’

Key Points:

• Harvard Law School suspended access to Langdell Library for at least 18 students for two weeks following a silent "study-in" supporting clinical instructors, citing an "organized demonstration" that disrupted the library's purpose.
• The suspension affects physical library access but retains borrowing, online access, and access to other Harvard libraries, with students able to request reconsideration; the action will not be part of their disciplinary records.
• The study-in involved about 40 students displaying signs calling for fair pay for clinical instructors, supported by a petition signed by over 260 students, while a student journalist covering the event was also suspended despite not displaying flyers.
• Some faculty, including Professor Stephen E. Sachs, argue for consistent enforcement of library policies and disciplinary measures for such protests, emphasizing that libraries are for studying, not demonstrations.
• Harvard administrators stress balancing freedom of speech and protest rights with the rights of others to learn and work, warning that even silent demonstrations can disrupt the library's educational mission.