Students address SSU president's controversial retirement

Students are calling for the new interim Sonoma State president to honor the agreement made with President Lee.

photo credit: Noah Abrams/KRCB
Chalk messages left near the former SSU student protest encampment on Person Lawn.

An agreement made between former Sonoma State University President Mike Lee and students protesting as part of SSU Students for Justice in Palestine sparked an international flurry of headlines last week.

For the first time since Lee was abruptly placed on leave by California State University Chancellor Mildred Garcia, the students who negotiated directly with him and other high level university administrators speak out.

Julianna M. directly addressed the new leadership.

"We demand that the acting president, address, honor, and act upon these demands set forth, that we agreed upon with President Lee and members of his cabinet," Julianna said. "We demand that acting President Nathan Evans act in good faith as the student protestors engaged in non-violent demonstrations, and have abided by all guidelines set forth by administrators, campus police, and the Sonoma State community."

She's one of the student organizers who negotiated last week's controversial agreement with the now-retired President Lee.

She spoke during a press call on May 17th.

So did X'andri Bautista, another student organizer with SSU Student for Justice in Palestine.

"This issue itself is really divisive," Bautista said.

The agreement between the students and Lee has sparked a flurry of condemnations, congratulations, and media headlines from Sonoma County to Tel Aviv.

Some faculty, parents of SSU students, and local community members have condemned the agreement.

Rabbi George Gittleman of Congregation Shomrei Torah in Santa Rosa described the agreement in an interview with the Press Democrat as a "shocking, egregious mistake."

Others have condemned Lee's dismissal.

That includes Zahra Billoo, president of the Bay Area chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations.

She called Lee's dismissal a "deeply troubling development that underscores the pervasive climate of intolerance and suppression faced by those who dare to advocate for Palestinian rights."

For their part, Sonoma State University Students for Justice in Palestine staged a peaceful demonstration at SSU's graduation ceremony Saturday.

The group said they will meet with the new university president Monday, May 20th, to discuss the agreement on divestment, curriculum creation, and an academic boycott.

The group says members plan to attend a May 21st march at the California State University chancellor's office in Long Beach.