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AMP Report – June 14, 2010
UC Irvine MSU appeals draconian suspension
June 14, 2010 - The Muslim Student Union (MSU) at the University of California, Irvine, announced today that it has filed an appeal to the recommendation by the Senior Executive Director of Student Housing to revoke the student group's charter for one year, following allegations that the MSU violated sections of University policy.
The allegations arose as a result of the appearance of Israeli Ambassador Michael Oren for a UCI-sponsored event in February. During the event, eight UC Irvine students stood up and protested against Israeli policies which deprive Palestinians of their human rights.
The university alleged that the students actions were an officially sanctioned MSU activity, which the MSU has repeatedly denied. The students acted in their personal capacity.
"Suspending the MSU would undoubtedly create a chilling effect and deprive Muslim students -- both current and incoming -- of a place where they can develop a sense of community with one another and with the broader UCI campus community," said MSU President Asaad Traina. "Depriving Muslim students a venue to associate is an act of marginalization at a time when Muslim students and Muslim youth already feel besieged."
The Jewish Federation connection
In an unprecedented act, University of California, Irvine Campus officials have banned the Muslim Student Union for one year and placed the organization on disciplinary probation for an additional year, according to a statement released by the Jewish Federation this morning.
The Orange County Register quoted the Federation officials as saying that they obtained documents from the university through the Freedom of Information Act, which show that the Muslim Student Union has been suspended on campus effective Sept. 1.
UCI has not released any information about this ban and does not plan on doing so, Cathy Lawhon, director of media relations, to the Register.
"I do not have personal knowledge of this, as the process and the actions against the students and the group were privileged," she said. "We value the privacy of our students and the process. This is a private and privileged process, and we will honor that process."
Although other individuals and groups might discuss this issue, the university will not, Lawhon said.
On May 27 Lisa Cornish, senior executive director of Student Housing, sent a letter to the Muslim Student Union which details the violations that were believed to have been committed by the union and the disciplinary action taken against them. This document was obtained and provided to The Orange County Register by the Jewish Federation.
Cornish's letter says the university's decision to suspend the union was based on Google Group e-mails, personal observations by university officials including the police chief, observations by other students and "the fact that all of the disruptors retained the same attorney to represent them in the student conduct process."
Cornish's letter talks about how the Muslim Student Union held a meeting Feb. 3 prior to the ambassador's visit and methodically discussed how to disrupt the event. The students talked about sending "the speaker a message – our goal should be that he knows that he can't just go to a campus and say whatever he wants" and "pushing the envelope."
Cornish's letter states that the students planned every detail of the disruption including scripting statements.
Cornish says in the letter that she has concluded based on her review that the Muslim Student Union and each of its authorized signers violated several university policies including "disorderly and lewd conduct, participation in a disturbance of peace or unlawful assembly, obstruction or disruption of teaching, research, administration, disciplinary procedures or other University activities and other forms of dishonesty including ... fabricating information, furnishing false information, or reporting a false emergency to the University."
The letter orders the Muslim student union to cease operations from Sept. 1, a suspension that will be active until Aug. 31, 2011. After that date, the group will be placed on "disciplinary probation" for one more year. Any misconduct during that period could result in further action against the group or its members, Cornish's letter states. Also, group members must collectively complete 50 hours of community service, which also needs to be approved by the university.
A shocking recommendation
The recommendation to suspend the MSU as a registered student organization for one year came as a shock to the student group, which was recently presented with the Social Justice Award by the UCI Cross Cultural Center, a group of active and socially conscious student organizations. From humanitarian and educational events to events that encourage social justice and youth outreach, the MSU's multifaceted activities encourage spirituality among its members and create well-rounded individuals who are active participants of the UCI community. Among other activities, the MSU raised $5,000 earlier this year for the people of Haiti following the devastating earthquake.
Despite their vibrant and contributing role in the campus community, the MSU and its members have repeatedly been targeted and singled out by the administration for monitoring and punitive actions, and been subjected to hateful and threatening verbal and email attacks by off-campus entities.
Even UC Irvine faculty members who disagreed with the students' actions have argued that suspending the MSU would be unnecessary, unfair, and overly harsh.
Dean of the UCI Law School Erwin Chemerinsky wrote in the Los Angeles Times that he "disagree[s] with those who call for draconian sanctions against these students or of punishment for a larger group." When asked by the Orange County Register whether the Muslim Student Union would be disciplined, the director of UCI Media Relations also said she "would find it highly surprising if that was happening."
Heavy-handed and draconian decision
Husam Ayloush, executive director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said he is disappointed by The Jewish Federation's decision to release information that was meant to be confidential."I'm puzzled at their attempt to score political points at the expense of the privacy of the students and the process that is internal to UCI," he said.
Ayloush called the university's actions "unprecedented, heavy-handed and draconian."
"It appears to be politically motivated to silence any future peaceful and legitimate criticism of Israel's brutal practices," he said. "This was nothing but a peaceful and symbolic protest of the Israeli Ambassador at UCI. It was a reflection of a growing worldwide campaign by human rights activists to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine and their racism toward the Palestinian people."
The Muslim students did not engage in fraudulent, immoral or criminal behavior, Ayloush said.
Shalom Elcott, president and CEO of the Jewish Federation Orange County, said he commends the university's decision to follow through on this issue. "The university's disciplinary action regarding the MSU establishes an important and appropriate precedent and sends a powerful message to other universities across the nation."
Elcott said the federation along with other campus and local Jewish organizations have worked with the university to resolve this issue.
Attorney for the MSU, Reem Salahi, says the recommendation raises further questions about the fairness and impartiality of the administrative review process given the support for the recommendation by the university spokespersons, off-campus organizations, and Law School Dean Erwin Chemirinsky, even prior to any final determination. Additionally, UC President Mark Yudof has urged strong action against the "Irvine 11."
"Suspending the MSU is counterproductive, since it would severely stifle Muslim student life on campus not only for current students but also for incoming students," said Salam Al-Marayati, President of the Muslim Public Affairs Council (MPAC). "We look now to UCI's leadership to reach a constructive conclusion on this case that preserves the MSU's many positive contributions to campus life, and inoculates student life on campus from outside influences and entities."
"Banning a student group based on the actions of a few individuals is unprecedented, and would send the wrong message to university campuses all across the country who seek to create space for free speech and dissent," said Dr. Maher Hathout, Chairman of the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California. "The MSU performs multifaceted and diverse activities that cater to the spiritual, social and educational needs of Muslim students, which are needed now more than ever."
The UC Irvine MSU aims to provide a space for Muslim students to engage in religious study, public education and community service alongside other student groups on campus. As a recognized student group, the MSU strives to be a positive addition to the UCI campus as well as the larger community.
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