Sonoma State President Announces He Has Been Placed on Administrative Leave

Sonoma State University President Mike Lee announced on May 15 that he is going on leave after issuing a statement the day before announcing an agreement with the pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, as the May 14 statement was not approved through the usual CSU channels.

Lee’s May 14 statement had stated that he agrees with the encampment’s call for a ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war and that, among other things, the university would be forming an Advisory Council of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), which would consult with the university on possible divestment strategies. Further, the May 14 statement said that the university “will not pursue or engage in any study abroad programs, faculty exchanges, or other formal collaborations that are sponsored by, or represent, the Israeli state academic and research institutions” and also featured Lee stating that “none of us should be on the sidelines when human beings are subject to mass killing and destruction.”

In his May 15 statement, Lee said: “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. In my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community. I realize the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it. I deeply regret the unintended consequences of my actions.”

He added: “I want to be clear: The message was drafted and sent without the approval of, or consultation with, the Chancellor or other system leaders. The points outlined in the message were mine alone, and do not represent the views of my colleagues or the CSU.”

Toward the end of his statement, Lee said: “As I step away on a leave, I will reflect on the harm this has caused and will be working with the Chancellor’s Office to determine next steps.”

As I step away on a leave, I will reflect on the harm this has caused and will be working with the Chancellor’s Office to determine next steps.” – Mike Lee

CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia addressed the matter in a statement, saying that Lee’s May 14 statement “was sent without the appropriate approvals.” “The Board’s leadership and I are actively reviewing the matter and will provide additional details in the near future,” Garcia added. “For now, because of this insubordination and consequences it has brought upon the system, President Lee has been placed on administrative leave.”

JCRC Bay Area issued a statement thanking “California State University Chancellor Mildred García, who in a letter acknowledged deep concern ‘about the impact the statement has had on the Sonoma State community, and how challenging and painful it will be for many of our students and community members to see and read.’ We also thank the California Legislative Jewish Caucus and our partners at Jewish Public Affairs Committee of California (JPAC) and Jewish Federation Los Angeles for demanding change.”

StandWithUs posted on X, “The lesson from this is clear: Instead of trying to appease hate groups, campus leaders must enforce their policies and stand up to antisemitism.”

BIG WIN ON CAMPUS

One day after caving to the demands of anti-Israel extremists, the President of Sonoma State has apologized and been placed on leave. The lesson from this is clear:

Instead of trying to appease hate groups, campus leaders must enforce their policies and stand… pic.twitter.com/tmpOUaOPRT

— StandWithUs (@StandWithUs) May 16, 2024

Grant Gochin, the parent of a Jewish student at Sonoma State who will be graduating this weekend, told the Journal, “When even a President of a State University can be duped with misinformation and disinformation, the whole world should be concerned about our younger generations falling for propaganda. History is repeating in real time. This small victory shows that with concerted effort, we can break the cycle of history.”