NYU Law Students Now Allowed to Take Exams Amid Protests

New York University School of Law reversed its decision to require 31 pro-Palestine students, previously barred from campus for participating in peaceful sit-in protests, to sign away their right to protest in order to sit for in-person final exams. Initially, the university demanded that these students sign a 'Use of Space Agreement' pledging not to protest on law school property as a condition for exam access, sparking strong backlash and accusations of arbitrary policy enforcement, particularly against pro-Palestine speech. The affected students refused to sign the agreement, and public pressure led the administration to allow them to take exams without such conditions, though they remain largely barred from other campus facilities. Critics highlighted that similar protest locations had been used in the past without disciplinary consequences, raising concerns about selective enforcement. NYU maintains that protest activities must not disrupt educational operations, but students argue the policies are inconsistently applied. The reversal is being celebrated by student activists as a victory for campus protest rights.