The Code of Conduct Office at Portland State University (PSU) has decided to drop the charges against the university’s chapter of Students United for Palestinian Equality and Rights (SUPER).
The charges stemmed from an earlier peaceful protest on campus, where the group was accused of violating their current probation status resulting from previous conduct violations recorded in the Spring term of 2024.
The decision to dismiss the charges was made shortly after an impactful speech delivered by Portland City Councilor Mitch Green at a National Day of Action for Higher Ed protest held on campus.
Councilor Green’s speech included a threat to vote against funding for PSU’s new performing arts building unless the university administration eased crackdowns on student activism.
“I stand in solidarity with the students and their fight for civil rights,” Green proclaimed during the rally, emphasizing the importance of student expression.
On March 22, 2024, SUPER’s former president received a letter from the Code of Conduct Office stating a series of charges against the group following a protest during a Board of Trustees meeting.
The infractions outlined in the letter included the unauthorized use of a sound amplification device, collusion, and the improper use of campus space.
Due to these violations, SUPER was placed on probation, set to last until June 30, 2025.
Being on probation imposes certain restrictions on student organizations, making further violations during this period potentially lead to suspension.
Additionally, groups on probation are required to undergo code of conduct training and face other disciplinary actions.
During January 2025, SUPER members organized a die-in protest in the Karl Miller Center (KMC), an expressive demonstration where participants lie down to symbolize casualties from war.
Current president Khadija Almayahi remarked on the demonstration’s beauty, noting, “It was really beautiful to see people show up and in an effort to bring some attention to the genocide that’s happening in Palestine.”
While leading the protest, Almayahi used a small megaphone to read the names of Palestinian martyrs—an act that would later contribute to the group facing fresh charges.
On March 22, 2025, Almayahi received another letter from PSU’s Conduct and Conflict Resolution Officer, Jordan Banks, alleging that the protest at KMC breached the group’s probation.
The charges were primarily based on the unauthorized use of the megaphone among other alleged offenses committed during the protest.
In light of the new charges, SUPER enlisted support from the National Lawyers Guild to help navigate the ensuing difficulties.
The group also communicated with the administration to disclose their legal representation, preparing for potential confrontations regarding the conduct reviews.
However, multiple scheduling attempts for these reviews were unsuccessful over the following weeks.
Then, in late April, Banks confirmed in a letter that the allegations made against SUPER had been officially dropped.
This decision came close to the timing of Councilor Green’s speech during the National Day of Action for Higher Ed protest, raising questions about external influence on the university’s decision-making process.
Despite PSU’s assertion that the dropping of charges was unrelated to Green’s comments, skepticism persists among students regarding the coincidental timing.
Almayahi expressed her speculations, remarking, “We had speculated that perhaps even Councilor Green’s comments put some pressure on the administration to back off in certain ways.
Portland State has said that that’s not the case, and I really don’t believe that’s true.”
While the charges from the die-in protest have been dropped, SUPER remains on probation, with the status projected to last until June 30, 2025.
image source from：https://psuvanguard.com/charges-against-palestinian-liberation-group-super-have-been-dropped/
