The president of Sonoma State University, who was suspended for making controversial campus-wide messages about Israel’s war with Hamas, has retired.
California State University President Mildred Garcia said in a statement Thursday that Chancellor Mingdong Lee has informed her of his decision to retire. On Wednesday, Garcia placed Lee on leave for “insubordination,” a day after he posted a message supporting a boycott of Israeli universities and said the university would pursue a “divestment strategy.” Garcia said Lee did not receive approval for the message.
In a letter to the community, Lee apologized for “the unintended consequences of my actions” and acknowledged that his information had not been reviewed by CSU officials.
“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.
Amy Bentley-Smith, director of strategic communications and public affairs at California State University, said there is “no written policy” on the chancellor’s office approving communications from campus leadership related to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
“The Chancellor and Chancellor have been in constant communication during the campus protests with the intent that university-level decisions are made in consultation with the Chancellor’s Office and are consistent not only with shared University values and mission, but also with applicable Colorado State University System policies, and State and federal laws,” Bentley-Smith said.
Although the university system’s 23 campus presidents report to the chancellor, they are considered executive officers of their respective campuses and have some autonomy over campus decision-making.
Also on Friday, Rep. Kevin Keeley (R-Rocklin) sent a letter to Garcia and UC President Michael V. Drake calling for accountability when campus leaders call out “anti-Semitic demands for encampments.” .
“The University of California and Colorado State University systems urgently need to take system-wide action to restore order on campus and stop using [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] policies and, where appropriate, the appointment of new campus leadership,” wrote Keeley, who had previously called on Lee to resign.
Other state lawmakers expressed concerns about Lee’s message. Press secretary Paul Payne told The Times that the office of Sen. Bill Dodd (D-Napa) contacted the prime minister’s office Wednesday to ask if Garcia had approved the news.
Sen. Scott Wiener, a San Francisco Democrat, also expressed opposition.
“This is terrible and wrong,” Weiner told KRON-4 this week.
The chancellor said she would continue to work with acting president Nathan Evans and the board during this “transitional period”. In a statement to the Sonoma State community, Evans said Lee’s retirement will not overshadow Saturday’s commencement events.
“We will be creating space and places in the coming days and weeks to process President Lee’s retirement and other recent developments in the community. For now, I encourage us all to focus on our graduates and their supporters,” Evans said .
Lee worked at Sacramento State for 28 years. In 2022, he ended a brief retirement to become Sonoma governor after Judy Sakaki resigned amid an outcry over sexual harassment and retaliation accusations against her and her husband.
Times staff writer Jaweed Kaleem contributed to this report.
