UC-Irvine Associated Students of UCI Resolution

Below is the statement issued by the Associated Students of UCI in regards to the disruption of the Israeli ambassador's speech at UCI on February 8:

REQUEST FOR ACTION BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL


Item Number: 83 Legislation Number (B: Bill, R: Resolution): R45-66
Author: Hamza Siddiqui Second: Justine Calma
Synopsis: Resolution condemning academic repercussions for nonviolent protest
Date of Presentation: 03.04.10

All requests may be typed and submitted to the Executive Vice President no later 5:00 p.m. Thursday in order to be included in the agenda for the following Tuesday. The Executive Vice President reserves the right to delay the Request for Action to a later Council session if the Executive Vice President feels the agenda for the next schedule meeting is full.

Whereas, on February 8th, 2010 the University of California, Irvine (UCI) welcomed Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Michael Oren to discuss U.S.-Israel relations,

Whereas, eleven students in the crowd stood up and spoke out against the Ambassador, expressing their political opinion, [1]

Whereas, these students were voluntarily escorted out of the event, [2]

Whereas, law enforcement officials subsequently arrested these students, and they are now facing criminal and academic charges, [1]

Whereas, the Ambassador was allowed to complete his speech, [3]
Whereas, UCI seeks to provide a “…quality education that fosters the passionate and enthusiastic expansion of knowledge, [4]

Whereas, UCI also serves as an environment for the free expression of ideas,

Whereas, UCI encourages diversity and is comprised of students, faculty and staff that hold a multitude of ideas and beliefs,

Whereas, a student’s academic livelihood should not be contingent on their political beliefs,

Whereas, students should be free to non-violently express their beliefs without the threat of academic consequences (grades, enrollment status),

Whereas, the eleven non-violent protesters that verbally disrupted Michael Oren are now facing academic repercussions that could result in suspension or dismissal from the school [5],

Whereas, UCI should uphold its commitment of providing a quality education regardless of non-violent political statements made by students,

Whereas, it is the responsibility of the Associated Students at the University of California, Irvine (ASUCI) to “… provide a forum for the expression of the student views and interests, encourage and maintain the freedom to pursue knowledge, encourage student academic rights and responsibilities,” [6]

And whereas, we, ASUCI should follow suit with our peers at the UCSD, UCLA and UCB in their decision to defend the academic future of the eleven students by condeming UCI administrators of excessive punishment, [7]

Let it be resolved that ASUCI opposes any academic repercussions based on non-violent protest,

Let it further be resolved that ASUCI opposes any decision by the University to impose academic sanctions against the eleven students that would jeopardize their academic future.

Filed under: UC Irvine | Tagged: ASUCI, college, Free Speech, Irvine 11, Israeli Ambassador, Michael Oren, orange county, politics,
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Fousesquawk comment: What a shock!