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Major Postings of the Al-Arian Case
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These are some of the primary documents in the case.
For more links, go to the
site map.
For material on the USF Chapter of the UFF, visit its
home page.
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The only thing necessary
for evil to triumph
is for good men
to do nothing.
- Edmund Burke
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Academic Leadership
On June 20,
American Federation of Teachers
President Sandra Feldman sent a letter to President Judy Genshaft saying
that
the AFT's `Higher Education Program and Policy Council have resolved to
ensure that Mr. Al-Arian's rights be sustained'.
The AFT distributed
a press release on the letter the next day.
On April 25, the Executive Council and Delegate Assembly of the
Professional Staff Congress of the City University of New York,
American Federation of Teachers Local 2334, passed a
Resolution in Support of the United Faculty of Florida Chapter
at the University of South Florida in Tampa, stating that
``... WHEREAS, this threat to academic freedom and the First
Amendment has all the hallmarks of a politically motivated
attack on the personal views of a member of the university
community uttered extramurally ... THEREFORE, be it resolved,
that we join in solidarity with them in their struggle (and
donate $100 in support of their efforts) ...''.
USF/UFF is grateful to our brothers & sisters up north for their
support.
Faculty Reactions
There were three major reactions on campus.
The very first reaction was the resignation of USF Anthropology Professor
Elizabeth Bird as faculty advisor to the Provost.
The UFF/USF resolution supported her, and she wrote an
open letter, , which she kindly has permitted us
to post, describing the reasons for her resignation.
A Letter to the Faculty of USF
On Jan. 2, shortly after the dismissal of Professor Al-Arian, the UFF sent
out a packet to all members of the UFF/USF bargaining unit.
Decision to Dismiss
On Dec. 19, after the Board of Trustees voted to terminate Professor Al-Arian,
President Genshaft announced her intention to dismiss him.
Later, the rationale for dismissal would be changed, as reflected in her
August 21, 2002
President's Update Regarding Dr. Sami Al-Arian.
Statement on Academic Freedom
A Statement on Academic
Freedom, published on p. 6 of the Nov. 1, 2001
Oracle in response to pressure on
academic freedom - in particular to the prolonged suspension of Professor
Al-Arian.
It's About the Contract!
The primary mission of the United Faculty of Florida is to negotiate and
defend
the Collective Bargaining Agreement,
and UFF regards this controversy as an issue of free expression, of due
process, and academic freedom.
The Indictment
On February 20, 2003, Sami Al-Arian was arrested on a federal indictment
enumerating many violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt
Organizations (RICO) Act.
The Department of Justice posted
the indictment (a 121-page .pdf file),
and Attorney-General John Ashcroft made a
statement.
On February 21, the USF Chapter of UFF responded with a
statement.
The AAUP in 2003
On June 14, at the annual meeting of the AAUP, the AAUP decided to
condemn but not censure USF.
Here are:
the report by the investigative team sent by Committee A,
the report by Committee A which made no recommendation,
and
the resolution of the AAUP.
The AAUP also issued a
press release.
In response, UFF USF Chapter President composed a
Statement by USF-UFF Chapter President Roy Weatherford about
the Recent AAUP Annual Meeting.
The Criminal Case
The case is being heard before
the Middle District of Florida U.S. Court,
and the documents for the case are on the
docket page for Case No. 8:03-cr-77.
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