Sonoma State University (Facebook)
For the first time, a university head has been dismissed over supporting anti-Israel protests as Sonoma State University President Mike Lee was removed from his post after he agreed to protestors’ demands to divest the school’s funds from investments in Israel. Lee was officially placed “on administrative leave” from his job heading the school which is located in northern California and is part of the University of California public college system.
California State University Chancellor Mildred García explained that Mike Lee was disciplined because he made the decision on divestment from Israel “without the appropriate approvals.”
“For now, because of this insubordination and the consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave,” García said in a statement.
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Mildred Garcia went on to say how “deeply concerned” she is about the impact the statement made by Lee has had on the Sonoma State community, and how “challenging and painful it will be for many of our students and community members to see and read.”
“The heart and mission of the CSU is to create an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone we serve, not to marginalize one community over another,” added Garcia.
For several months now American universities have been overrun by anti-Israel protestors. Just a few weeks ago, police in New York, Texas and Los Angeles – among other places – were called in to remove such protestors who disrupted college campuses. And since last fall there have been calls to remove the leaders of schools like Harvard for their failure to condemn the pro-Hamas activities on their campuses.
While the President of Harvard did resign (and not only because of the protests), Mike Lee is the only college leader to be disciplined so far.
In response to his removal Mike Lee issued a statement of his own saying in an e mail to the entire school, “My goal when meeting with students at the encampment was to explore opportunities to make meaningful change, identify common ground and create a safe and inclusive campus for all. I now realize that many of the statements I made in my campus wide message did just the opposite.
“In my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community,” he added. “I realize the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it. I deeply regret the unintended consequences of my actions.”
Mike Lee went on to say, “as I step away on a leave, I will reflect on the harm this has caused and will be working with the chancellor’s office to determine next steps.”
