Controversial Extra Credit Policies Spark Debate on Campus

UC Berkeley faced backlash after a graduate student offered extra credit to students for attending a pro-Palestinian student "walkout" in support of Gaza. The email, posted on social media, sparked criticism for promoting a specific political viewpoint and allegedly lacking an option for events supporting Israel. The university quickly responded, stating that the assignment had been changed to offer multiple options for extra credit, including attending any local event relevant to the course's subject or watching a documentary about the Middle East. Critics called the move "antisemitic indoctrination," while others argued against compelled speech and the use of grades to promote specific policy outcomes.