Sonoma State president retires following controversial agreement with protesting students

SSU President Mike Lee, in a May 15 message to students and staff, expressed regret for "unintended consequences" from a deal with students.

photo credit: Courtesy of Sonoma State University
SSU President Ming Tung "Mike" Lee.

UPDATE 5/16/24 4 PM: In a statement released Thursday afternoon, CSU Chancellor Mildred Garcia announced that Sonoma State University President Ming Tung "Mike" Lee has retired from his position effective immediately.

The agreement between Sonoma State President Ming Tung "Mike" Lee and SSU students protesting against the war in Gaza has created a firestorm beyond the Rohnert Park campus.

Less than 24 hours after reaching an agreement with members of Sonoma State's Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, President Lee was placed on indefinite leave Wednesday by California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia for " insubordination ."

On Thursday, Chancellor Garcia announced Lee's retirement from the role.

In a message to Sonoma State students and staff Tuesday night, Lee had pledged to review all investments in the university's foundation. After review, the agreement promised to pursue divestment strategies which include "ethical alternatives".

That's a move similar to changes made in the past week at Sacramento and San Francisco State Universities.

Divestment from companies linked to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories has been a core demand at campuses across the country.

Following the news of Lee's agreement Tuesday night, Albert Levine, one of the protest leaders, was upbeat over how the negotiation process played out.

"We got them sitting down in a circle with us, on the grass, hearing us out, and it wasn't closed doors," Levine said.

Lee also announced an academic boycott of Israeli state sponsored academic and research institutions as part of the deal with protesting students. The academic boycott commits to ending study abroad faculty exchange programs in Israel, but says "SSU welcomes opportunities to engage Palestinian scholars and students, as well as individual Israeli scholars acting in a personal capacity."

The academic boycott possibly runs afoul of California's Assembly Bill 2844, which bars "discriminatory actions taken against individuals of the Jewish faith under the pretext of a constitutionally protected boycott or protest of the State of Israel." Critics of AB 2844, which has been described as an anti-BDS (boycott, divestment, and sanctions) law, say the intent is to stifle boycotts for Palestinian rights.

The study abroad program between California State Universities and the University of Haifa in northern Israel is currently on hold due to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

But in what to many was a shocking reversal Wednesday afternoon, Lee, in another message to the campus, expressed deep regret for his decision, saying "in my attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student...community."

Shortly thereafter, Lee was put on leave by Garcia, replaced temporarily by Dr. Nathan Evans, chief academic officer for the CSU system.

In his Wednesday afternoon message, Lee noted the agreement with students was made without consultation of the chancellor's office, and expressed his personal views, not those of colleagues or the CSU system.

On social media, State Senator Scott Weiner of San Francisco thanked Chancellor Garcia for her decision to remove Lee, calling the academic boycott "totally unacceptable."

State Senator Bill Dodd, whose district includes Sonoma State, also praised Garcia's decision.

SSU students had been protesting and camped on Sonoma State's Person Lawn since April 26. After Lee's May 14 memo, the students honored the agreement and de-camped from the peaceful protest the next day.

Editors Notes: An earlier version of this story has been updated to reflect Lee's retirement announced on Thursday, May 16th.

SSU President Lee's message to the campus community on Tuesday, May 14, outlining his agreement with protesting students can be found here .

Below is the statement Lee sent to the SSU campus community on Wednesday May 15 shortly before he was placed on leave.

May 15, 2024

To: Campus Community

From: Mike Lee, President

Re: Message from the President

As president, my focus is on how to best serve our students and our campus community. 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 campus-wide 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.

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.

In my message, I stated: “We understand that many people feel anxious and fearful, particularly when standing for what they believe. We ask that everyone do their part to support one another, to ensure that Sonoma State is a safe and inclusive place for all.” I stand by that statement. I realize now that my message has caused more fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. This was not my intent.

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. Meantime, I look forward to supporting Dr. Nathan Evans, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and Chief Academic Officer, as he serves as Acting President of Sonoma State.