Tampa Bay Coalition for Justice and
Peace
Press Release
USF faculty union files a
grievance against USF on behalf of Dr. Al-Arian;
Press Conference is to be
held today at 4:00 pm
For Immediate Release
Tampa- January 6, 2003
Today, Monday, January 6, 2003, University of South
Florida's faculty union has filed a grievance against USF president Judy
Genshaft on behalf of College of Engineering faculty member Dr. Sami A.
Al-Arian. Prof. Al-Arian has been placed on forced leave by the USF president
and banned from USF campus since September 2001.
The
grievance details five violations by the USF administration to the
Collective Bargaining Agreement, particularly with respect to a repeated
disciplinary action without just cause, a repeated violation of his academic
freedom, and a repeated violation of the Policy of nondiscrimination on the
basis of his ethnicity and religious affiliation..
The
grievance seeks remedy by demanding the USF President
to rescind Professor Al-Arian's mandatory
administrative leave and banishment
from the USF campus; to restore his full rights and responsibilities as a
member of the USF faculty; and to allow Professor Al-Arian to work in an atmosphere of full
academic freedom.
Dr.
Al-Arian's attorney Robert McKee said: "We are grateful that the faculty union
has determined to challenge the continued punishment of Prof. Al-Arian.
The University's banishment of Prof. Al-Arian from campus, which has gone on for
far too long, has prevented him from pursuing his professional goals in
the areas of teaching and research. We are confident that an arbitrator
will agree and will require that Dr.Al-Arian be reinstated to his teaching
position."
Last month,
federal district Judge Susan Bucklew also rejected USF's suit in its attempt to
receive a declaratory judgment in order to pave the way to dismiss Professor
Al-Arian from his 17 year tenured position.
A press conference by Dr.
Al-Arian and his attorney Robert McKee is called for today, January 6 at
4:00 pm. It shall be held at the Law Offices of Kelly and McKee, located at 1718
E. 7th Avenue, third floor, in Ybor city. In addition to Dr. Al-Arian
and his attorney, faculty union representatives President Roy Weatherford
and Vice President Mark Klisch will be available at the press
conference.
End.