California State University placed Sonoma State campus President Mike Lee on leave Wednesday after he endorsed an academic boycott of Israel as part of an agreement with pro-Palestinian demonstrators without approval from system leaders.
Lee sent an email, which was posted by the Sonoma State student group Students for Justice in Palestine, in which he outlined key points of an apparent agreement reached with the protesters. The listed provisions included establishing an advisory council for the group, disclosing the university's investments in Israel with a plan for divestment, implementing an academic boycott of Israeli academic and research institutions, introducing a curriculum recognizing Palestinian identity and history, and calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.
CSU Chancellor Mildred García swiftly condemned Lee's actions as insubordinate. "For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave," she stated.
In a follow-up message to the campus community, Lee admitted his original email was "drafted and sent without the approval of, or consultation with, the chancellor or other system leaders" and that "the points outlined in the message were mine alone, and do not represent the views of my colleagues or the CSU."
The CSU Board of Trustees is continuing to review the matter. Garcia indicated further updates on Lee's status are likely forthcoming as the investigation proceeds.
