ST. LOUIS — Valencia Alvarez didn’t receive her master’s degree during her graduation in May. Three months later, she’s not sure if she ever will.
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Valencia Alvarez poses Friday, July 26, 2024, on a public sidewalk near Washington University in 51ºÚÁÏ. Alvarez was set to graduate with her master’s degree in public health in May but was notified her degree would not be awarded while a disciplinary matter is pending related to her participation in an April protest against the war in Gaza on the Washington University campus.
Laurie Skrivan, Post-Dispatch
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Nawal Abuhamdeh delivers a statement on behalf of Steve Tamari, a history professor at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville, who says he is hospitalized with injuries caused by police during a pro-Palestinian demonstration on the Washington University campus over the weekend in 51ºÚÁÏ on Tuesday, April 30, 2024. Video by Vanessa Abbitt, vabbitt@post-dispatch.com
Vanessa Abbitt
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