The controversial decision came to light through an email, publicly posted by The Post Millennial, sent by Kessler to her students, where she criticized the university's handling of the protest and voiced her solidarity with the demonstrators.
In her email, Kessler expressed her disapproval of the university administration's decision to mobilize the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to shut down the protest, which resulted in the arrest of 93 individuals, mostly USC students and faculty members.
She wrote, "How are we supposed to engage in 'normal' finals-week behavior while our university administration is criminalizing its students merely for opposing war and mass death and protesting its draconian policies? How are you supposed to take exams with LAPD helicopters loudly circling overhead?"
The professor then announced her decision to cancel the final project for her class, stating, "I'm canceling the Final Project. You don't have to do it. Everyone will get a good grade. I told you from the start I don't care about grades anyway."
She encouraged her students to visit Founders Park on campus, where students and faculty were collaborating to educate each other in an "organic way that doesn't involve exams, grades, and GPAs."
The aftermath of the Gaza camp protest saw USC taking measures to ensure campus safety, including calling off upcoming graduation ceremonies and implementing strict security protocols.
The university also banned unregistered guests from campus and prohibited social gatherings and disruptive behaviors for the remainder of the semester, as reported by Fox News.
Kessler's actions sparked outrage on the internet, with many condemning her decision. One X user remarked, "I hope this left-wing idiot will be fired and prosecuted. It would also be good to ban her from teaching altogether." Another echoed similar sentiments, stating, "Disgrace to her profession. (Actually becoming a very low bar now.)"
A user weighed in, stating, "No legit professor would abdicate their true instructional responsibilities." Another person added, "This is a disservice to the students. Fire her." One user commented, "Insanity, gross irresponsibility, she should be fired."
Another user asserted, "People like this should never be allowed to perform an activity that could influence a child/young adults decisions." "This professor entirely lost her mind," wrote one user. A user stated, "Un-acceptable conduct for a college professor."
