USF Faculty Group Condemns Prof's Firing TAMPA (WUSF) - A show of support for University of South Florida president Judy Genshaft failed to materialize late Wednesday when members of the school's faculty senate met to discuss the firing of professor Sami Al-Arian.

He's the Palestinian academic who the FBI says has links to known terrorists and who President Genshaft says poses a threat to the school's safety.

A large majority of the faculty Senate has voted down a resolution that would have supported the firing of Sami Al-Arian. The defeated resolution voiced support of academic freedom and lauded the dismissal of the tenured professor as justified.

Faculty members then approved a move to establish a committee to investigate disciplining of faculty. Genshaft said she wasn't surprised at the Senate's decision.

GENSHAFT: Absolutely not. Quite the opposite. They're all talking about committees, they're talking about new ways of structuring things. I didn't hear any intent or slant against me as a president.

Her Dec. 19 decision to fire al-Arian was lambasted by Harry Vanden, a professor of government and international affairs. Vanden also dissented from the actions of the university's Board of Trustees, which voted to recommend the firing during a hastily-called meeting over the winter break.

VANDEN: We're being asked to condone the firing of a tenured faculty member. And to do so through countenancing what indeed was the equivalent of the Saturday night massacre, and that is to convene a so-called emergency meeting of the board on less than 24 hours' notice. To really railroad the decision-making process and to deliver a letter of the intent to terminate Professor Al-Arian that very same day. It was not above board, it was not decent, it was not ethical, it was not professional.

On the other side of the debate was Mental Health Law and Policy professor Dr. Marion Becker. She says Al-Arian has been a disruption to the entire university.

BECKER: I wonder about why, in this time of scarce resources, when we are having to lay people off because of budget cuts and other things, we would say as a faculty that we think we should maintain a faculty member who has spent 15 percent of his time on paid leave, during which time he's been able to go out and pursue his academic freedom and his charitable and other pursuits, at the taxpayer's expense.

Senate faculty President Gregory Paveza says he is also troubled by the vote of the Board of Trustees to back Genshaft. The board is appointed by the governor, and Paveza believes its decisions are clouded by political or business ties.

PAVEZA: The decision really says that if a faculty member causes disruption, whether it is for something we believe in, or is in this case possibly in something that we don't, that any faculty member would meet the same fate as Professor Al-Arian. What happens the next time that a faculty professor engages in controversial behavior that offends the governor, alumni or the board?

Al-Arian defended his right to say what he thinks during a conference call to the faculty Senate. He is not allowed to set foot on campus because university officials believe his presence would be a threat to the school's students, faculty and staff.

AL-ARIAN: I have not disrupted the university, nor am I responsible for the actions of others. I don't have any control over any other people's actions that could be illegal, irrational or disruptive. It is no secret that I have exercised my First Amendment rights, in speaking on issues of importance to me and the public at large. I have not, however, placed my personal interest above my responsibility to the university.

Al-Arian has until Monday to respond to her letter of intent to fire him. His attorney, Bob McKee, says he plans to do so on Monday and avail himself of all his legal rights.

McKEE: I think he's ready for the battle, if that's what it comes to. He'd prefer to come back to work and have this thing blow over, but that may not come to pass. He obviously has a right to file a grievance and go to arbitration, he's got the right to file a lawsuit based on a violation of his rights under the first and fourteenth amendments. No decision has been made as to what forum we'll elect, but that would come shortly after the firing.

Al-Arian, an associate professor of computer engineering, was given notice of the impending firing on Dec. 19. The Palestinian has become a lightning rod for criticism for his remarks on Israel and his association with possible terrorists.

He was put on leave when death threats were sent to the university after his appearance on the Fox Channel's "The O'Reilly Factor" in September. During that show, he was questioned about his links to terrorist organizations. Al-Arian has never been charged with a crime.

Genshaft said that his right to speak freely must be balanced against the potential harm to the university.

GENSHAFT: When the safety of this campus is compromised, that is of utmost concern. And I as a president will not wait for someone to be harmed or killed before I take action.

Al-Arian also added a note of caution to his fellow professors, saying the very idea of tenure could be compromised.

AL-ARIAN: 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.

Members of the faculty union plan to meet tonight to discuss any plan of action they may take. Roy Weatherford, the union president, says they may file a chapter grievance.
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