The president of Sonoma State University was placed on leave Wednesday, a day after he delivered a controversial campus-wide message on Israel’s war with Hamas, saying the university would pursue a “divestment strategy” and support an academic boycott of Israeli universities.
California State University President Mildred Garcia announced the decision in a statement posted on Colorado State University’s website, calling Sonoma State President Mike Lee “unsatisfactory” for issuing a statement without “proper approval.” Obey orders” and was dismissed.
Pro-Palestinian student encampment protesters celebrated after Lee sent a letter to the roughly 6,000 students on the Rohnert Park campus on Tuesday that met their demands for activists to agree to dismantle their encampment by Wednesday night.
“SSU demands met!” said a post on the SSU Students for Justice in Palestine Instagram post, titled “Brick by Brick, Wall by Wall,” which showed a screenshot of Lee’s letter.
In the letter, Lee pledged to consult with pro-Palestinian activists and adopt a “divestment strategy that includes seeking ethical alternatives” and said he supported an academic boycott of Israel.
“SSU will not pursue or participate in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations sponsored by or represented by Israel’s national academic and research institutions,” Lee said in Tuesday’s letter.
Lee’s remarks are striking. While other universities have recently said they would consider divesting from arms companies, including the University of California, Berkeley, and the University of California, Riverside, nearly all U.S. universities have refused to specifically target Israel or boycotted formal exchange or research partnerships with Israeli universities appeal.
In opposing such calls, universities have expressed support for academic freedom and anti-discrimination policies. Some also point to a state law signed by then-Governor Jerry Brown in 2016 that prohibits state grants or contracts worth more than $100,000 to state universities that support the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement against Israel. .
Lee’s statement drew immediate criticism from Jewish students, parents and community groups.
At a meeting of the California Jewish Public Affairs Council in Sacramento on Wednesday, California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, who serves on the Colorado State University Board of Trustees, blasted campuses for moving forward with protocols to quell protests.
“Each school district handles these situations in its own way, but sometimes inconsistently, frankly, with protocols that they don’t actually have the authority to propose,” said Kounalakis, who spoke before Lee took his leave.
Koonalakis, a Democrat, said the campus was “blindsided” by the recent protests.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who promoted his anti-Semitic plan via video appearance at the same event on Wednesday, said last week that he “does not support divestment.”
Assemblyman Jesse Gabriel (D-Encino) and Senator Scott Weiner (D-San Francisco), co-chairs of the California Legislative Jewish Caucus, praised Garcia’s decision and said in a statement, Lee’s support for the academic boycott “is completely unacceptable and is evidence that former President Lee Myung-bak is unfit to lead one of our great national institutions.” We look forward to working with President Garcia and the Colorado State University Trustees to explore a different path that promotes learning, respectful dialogue, mutual respect, inclusivity and peace.
In her letter announcing Lee’s resignation, Garcia said she was “deeply concerned” by his comments.
“As educators, it is our job to support and elevate all members of the California State University community. I want to acknowledge that I am deeply concerned about the impact this statement will have on the Sonoma State community, and for many of our students and communities How challenging and painful it will be for members to see and read that statement,” Garcia said. “The CSU’s core and mission is to create an inclusive and welcoming place for everyone we serve, without marginalizing one community relative to another.”
Lee apologized in his own resignation letter, saying he had “marginalized other members of our student body” and that “I realize the harm this caused and I accept full responsibility for it. I am responsible for the unintended consequences of my actions.” The consequences are deeply regrettable.
“I would like to clarify: this message has been drafted and sent without the approval or consultation of the Chancellor or other system leaders. The views outlined in the message are mine alone and do not represent those of my colleagues or CLS alliance’s perspective,” Li wrote.
It’s unclear how long Lee will be out. He has been in office for 20 months, about half of which he has served as interim president.
Kinesiology professor Lauren Morimoto told The Times she supported Lee.
“As of now, the Academic Senate has not issued a statement regarding Mike Lee’s statement. However, I am meeting with the Asian Pacific Islander American Faculty Association Board of Directors and we stand with Mike Lee and the student protesters…” Former President of the Academic Senate Morimoto said. “I will ask that a resolution be added to tomorrow’s agenda in support of Mike Lee and the student protesters and their demand to be able to negotiate with the university.”
Staff writers Colleen Shelby and Mackenzie Mays contributed reporting.
