After being put under interim suspension by the university a little over a week ago, Rowan Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) was reinstated on Feb. 17 after an investigation by the university concluded.

“We could not have done this without your support. The public pressure mounted by all of you was pivotal in achieving our demand,” said the club in a statement posted on Instagram. 

The club was initially suspended after thousands of complaints were sent to Dean of Students Kevin Koett from members of Make NJ Red, a right-winged Facebook group, the first of which were received on Feb. 5, according to Koett.

“Based upon a comprehensive review of all available materials from multiple sources (including the student organization), the group was fully reinstated on Feb. 17, 2025. Representatives from the student organization were highly participatory and cooperative during the review of the matter, and there was no substantiation of the allegations made against the group. Throughout this matter, designated University officials implemented several protocols and procedures in an effort to promote campus safety,” said Koett in a statement to The Whit.

The Whit reached out to SJP for comment, but members of the club’s executive board only agreed to speak on background about the situation.

Due to the large volume of complaints, which tallied over 3,000, they were placed under interim suspension as a potential “harm to persons” as outlined in the Student Code of Conduct. The club then submitted an appeal to the university against the decision, according to a spokesperson from SJP.

There were also concerns that the club was being funded by the outside organization National SJP, but was proven to be false.

This is not the first time Make NJ Red has attempted to shut down pro-Palestinian organizations. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Pennsylvania moved its annual fundraising event from the city to Pennsauken, New Jersey, after the group sent numerous threats to the original venue.

According to Koett, Rowan is not required to look into complaints before the university issues an interim suspension.

“When allegations are made, the University may implement interim actions in order to engage in a process to gather more information. Interim action does not make any assumptions related to the level of responsibility of an individual and/or group,” said Koett. “As an example, a student organization could be issued interim action and subsequently be found responsible or not responsible as a result of an inquiry on the matter.”

This policy is something SJP says should be reviewed and revised given the previous behaviors of Make NJ Red.

“We can’t stop here. We have to continue to question the policies, procedures, and systems that got us here in the first place,” said their Instagram statement.

Under the university’s Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal Policy, a student “will be subject to a Safety Interim Suspension/Withdrawal if the student poses a significant risk to the safety of any student or campus community.” Accusations were made about the club’s welcome event flyers, which featured a man wearing a keffiyeh and holding a slingshot.

The imagery of the slingshot has long been used in the Palestinian liberation movement as a symbol of justice. 

This meaning was spun by multiple members of Make NJ Red.

One user, who screenshotted an email complaint they had written to Koett about SJP and posted it to the social media group, asked if Rowan would also allow a flyer depicting a man with a noose or an ISIS flag to be hung around campus.

“Using symbolism does not violate the intimidation policies of the university? I think I need a little more explanation,” the email read.

With SJP recently holding a rally at the Owl Statue even after they were reinstated, the club aims to hold the university accountable for what they consider to be hasty decision-making.

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