The chancellor of the California State University system has suspended the president of its Sonoma campus for announcing an agreement with pro-Palestinian activists to pursue an academic boycott of Israeli institutions as well as divestment strategies.
The message by Sonoma State University President Ming-Tung Mike Lee was issued without the appropriate approvals, said Mildred Garca, chancellor of the 23-campus CSU system, in a statement Wednesday.
For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave, Garca said.
Lee quickly issued an apology for the agreement he announced Tuesday after meetings with students who set up a campus encampment, one of many that have appeared at colleges to protest Israel’s actions in the war with Hamas and to press schools to cut ties with Israel and businesses that support it.
“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 campuswide message did just the opposite,” Lee wrote.
In his original message, Lee endorsed student activism, protest, and dissent, stating, “None of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction.”
Lee also announced a review of all university foundation investments and vendor contracts, as well as the establishment of an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine at Sonoma State.
Furthermore, Lee stated that Sonoma State will not pursue or engage in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations sponsored by Israeli state academic and research institutions, but individual Israeli scholars acting in a personal capacity would be welcome for engagement.