Muslim Student Union Possibly Suspended from UC Irvine

Last Tuesday it was reported that a Muslim Student Union has been suspended from the University of California at Irvine (UCI) campus for one year, and disciplinary probation for an additional year. The members of the group are also required to perform 50 hours of university approved community service, and additionally, the authorized officers of the Muslim Student Union cannot act as “authorized signers” for any other student organization.

University officials haven't finalized this action, but it certainly appears to be heading in that direction. This would be the first time a student organization has been suspended from UCI for anything other than drinking or hazing.

So what happened?

In February 2010, eleven members of the Muslim Student Union repeatedly disrupted a speech by Israeli ambassador Michael Oren that was being given on campus. According to the Los Angeles Times, students took turns disrupting his speech, standing up and shouting things including, “Michael Oren propagating murder is NOT an expression of free speech.” As soon as one student was escorted out by police, another student would pop up and shout something else.

In total, eleven students were arrested and cited for disturbing a public event, but none of the students were criminally charged.

The Muslim Student Union members are shocked with the university’s action and plan to appeal the punishment. The members feel that they are protected under “Freedom of speech.” Furthermore, the Muslim Student Union is concerned that the entire group is being punished for the actions of a few.

“Suspending the MSU would undoubtedly create a chilling effect and deprive Muslim students — both current and incoming — of a place where they can develop a sense of community with one another and with the broader UCI campus community,” said incoming MSU President Asaad Traina. “Depriving Muslim students a venue to associate jeopardizes their rights under the First Amendment and is an act of marginalization at a time when Muslim students and Muslim youth already feel besieged.”

But the head of the Jewish Federation of Orange County, Shalom Elcott, disagreed. Elcott said the University took the correct action. “The university's disciplinary action regarding the MSU establishes an important and appropriate precedent and sends a powerful message to other universities across the nation,” Elcott said.

The Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), for their part, called the university’s actions “draconian” and “heavy-handed.”

In other words, the diversity of opinion on UC Irvine’s actions is palpable. But many activists are nonetheless worried that shutting down the MSU for an entire year will unfairly punish an organization that has been recognized on campus for its work within the community and the globe. As the MSU concluded in a statement on their Web site:

“The recommendation to suspend the MSU as a registered student organization for one year came as a shock to the student group, which was recently presented with the Social Justice Award by the UCI Cross Cultural Center, a group of active and socially conscious student organizations. From humanitarian and educational events to events that encourage social justice and youth outreach, the MSU’s multifaceted activities encourage spirituality among its members and create well-rounded individuals who are active participants of the UCI community. Among other activities, the MSU raised $5,000 earlier this year for the people of Haiti following the devastating earthquake.”

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