University of Florida warns students face banishment over protest violations

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (CBS12/AP) — As the number of protests on college campuses over the Israeli-Hamas war swells, Florida’s flagship university is warning students may face banishment and workers could be fired for breaking certain campus restrictions.

On Friday, the University of Florida warned its students they could be suspended and banished for three years if they violated rules regarding camping, the use of bullhorns, protesting inside buildings, or possessing weapons, the Associated Press reported. Additionally, employees could be terminated for similar infractions, the warning noted.

Approximately 50 people have been seen protesting on the Gainesville campus since Wednesday.

In January, Gov. Ron DeSantis directed public colleges and universities to waive “transfer application requirements that would otherwise unnecessarily burden” them. Those include “credit hour and application window requirements.” At the time, he claimed Florida is getting “an elevated number of inquiries” from students about transferring to schools in the state.