Remarks by Dr. Sami
A. Al-Arian addressed to
the
University of South Florida Faculty Senate
January 9, 2002
Senate President Dr. Paveza
Madame President Dr. Genshaft
Mr. Provost Dr. Stamps
Senators
Colleagues
Students
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good Afternoon
My attorney Bob McKee is in attendance willing to answer any questions
by the senators. I hope that he will be recognized by the chair.
Mr. President:
My name is Sami Al-Arian. Im almost 44 years, of which Ive lived
in
the US for the last 27 years. Ive been married for over 22 years.
My wife
Nahla and I are proud of our 5 children. Abdullah is a senior
at Duke University. Laila is a junior at Georgetown University.
Leena is a senior in High school. Ali is in 6th grade, and Lama
is in 3rd grade. Its no secret that this ordeal has been tough
and stressful on my family physically, psychologically, and economically.
In less than two weeks Id complete my 16th year at the University
of
South Florida, an institution that I respect and am proud to be
a part of.
During all these years my record shows that I have always conducted
myself
professionally. I love the teaching profession and have always
enjoyed the
challenges of the classroom. I received the best teacher award
as well as
the prestigious TIP award in teaching in the college of Engineering.
I have
over 40 publications including a chapter that has just appeared
in the Mechatronics handbook published 2 weeks ago.
Im addressing you this afternoon via a telephone hookup because
I have
been banned from campus. Im told that I cannot be on campus because
some people, over 100 days ago, decided to threaten me and disrupt
the university after my appearance on a FOX news program. I was
invited on that program not because I was a USF faculty member,
but because I was considered a leader in the American Muslim community,
as well as a civil rights activist. Between September 11th and
26th, I participated in many ecumenical services and multicultural
activities hoping to foster better understanding and more cooperation
between the American Muslim community and the community at large.
I was led to believe by the FOX producers that my appearance on
that program was to help deepen that understanding. Frankly, I
was reluctant to appear, and I shouldve followed my mothers advice,
and that is to always follow my instincts. But I thought that
my concern for the public backlash against the American Muslim
and Arab communities, and the enormity of the September 11th tragedy
should take precedence over my apprehensions. Im sorry to say
that the focus of the program was not as it was represented to
me when I agreed to appear.
Mr. President:
What happened after the program aired was an orchestrated campaign
against me and the university to undermine the function of a public
institution through mostly irrational behavior. I was told that
its in the best interest of the
university to be on paid leave. I was very concerned about my
students, but
I complied. I was told that I was not under any investigation,
but rather
those who are disrupting the universitys life were. Im not an
insubordinate
person. If it was clear, that I was not to come to campus I would
have gladly
complied. It was not clear. I came to campus on October 5th not
to defy the
administration, but to address a campus students organization
that Im an
advisor of. If I had thought that I was banned from coming to
campus I certainly would not have attended. When I received the
provosts letter on October 8th asking me not to come to campus
I responded the next day that despite the hardship, I would comply.
For the first time in 16 years, I have not
been on campus for over 3 months.
To be absolutely clear and remove every shred of a doubt: I do
not,
nor have I ever spoken on behalf of the University of South Florida.
I have
on many occasions made it clear to journalists and reporters that
I speak
as a leader in the Muslim and Arab community and in my capacity
as the president of the National Coalition to Protect Political
Freedom, a coalition of over 40 organizations coming together
to defend civil and constitutional rights.
This summer on July 16th, in an article in Newsweek magazine about
the support of Arab Americans for President Bush, the article
said: Al-Arian is one of the countrys leading advocates for repeal
of secret-evidence laws. I was not identified as a USF professor
but as the countrys leading advocate in
a civil rights issue.
Mr. President:
During my career I have never brought any politics to the classroom,
my department or the university. I have not disrupted the university
nor
am I responsible for the actions of others. I dont have any control
over
other peoples actions that could be illegal, irrational or disruptive.
Its
no secret that I have exercised my first amendment rights in speaking
on issues
of importance to me and to the public at large. Ive not, however,
placed
my personal interest above my responsibility to the university.
Im very surprised to hear Dr. Genshaft referring today to WISE
as a
possible front. Id like to remind the senators that an investigation
led
by Attorney William Reece Smith Jr., commissioned by USF in which
he concluded by praising the work of WISE. A judge who looked
at all the allegations surrounding WISE has concluded in October
2000 by saying: Although there were allegations that the ICP and
WISE were fronts for Palestinian political causes, there is no
evidence before the Court that demonstrates that either organization
was a front To the contrary, there is evidence in the record to
support the conclusion that WISE was a reputable and scholarly
research center and the ICP was highly regarded.
Mr. President:
During my sophomore year in 1976, I was 18 when I took my first
government course. In the first day of class the professor talked
about the two Ds as he called them: due process and dissent. Ironically,
quarter of century later these two important concepts are at the
center of my professional career.
With all due respect, I dont think that I was afforded any due
process. The
decision to terminate a tenured professor is indeed a serious
one. The case
before the faculty senate this afternoon is indeed about academic
freedom
and freedom of speech. I did not choose to be the poster child
for the debate
about academic freedom in the post Sep. 11 world. But now that
I am, Id like
to remind you that all of us are being scrutinized not just I.
What you choose
to do this afternoon is going to reflect upon all of us.
Ladies and Gentlemen of the senate:
We will refute the allegations against me categorically. But even
if
these charges were true, the tenured faculty of this university
should be
concerned:
§ That the administration believes that its justified in terminating
the employment of a 16-year tenured faculty member because he
did not accompany off campus remarks with a disclaimer that he
wasnt speaking on behalf of the university.
§ That the administration believes that it can fire a tenured
faculty
member because he attended a meeting on campus while on paid leave.
§ That the administration believes it can fire a tenured faculty
member because his public pronouncements conflict with the political
views
with those in power.
If this action is allowed to stand, you should all be concerned
about
your job security and the professional compromises you may be
required to
make to keep your jobs.
Mr. President:
Next week the nation will celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther
King
Jr. Lets remember what he said: "The time is always right to do
what is right.
Thank you very much.