On Wednesday, the President of Sonoma State University, Ming Tung Lee, was placed on a leave of absence by the head of the university system for “insubordination” relating to his efforts to implement a boycott of Israel.
The action was taken by Chancellor Mildred García after Lee sent a Tuesday email to the learning community, announcing that the educational institution would begin a financial divestiture and suspension of academic cooperation with the Jewish state.
Additionally, the president promised to include the incorporation of Palestinian nationalism into the curriculum and student life.
Lee’s decision reportedly came after negotiations with the school's pro-Hamas protesters, who had recently joined many other activists around the United States in establishing an encampment on the campus grounds.
In an email apologizing for the situation, Lee said that in his “attempt to find agreement with one group of students, I marginalized other members of our student population and community,” and he realized “the harm that this has caused, and I take full ownership of it. I deeply regret the unintended consequences of my actions.”
Lee also confirmed that his plans were done without the permission of his superiors.
