California university president put on leave for ‘insubordination’ after meeting Gaza protesters’ demands
California university president put on leave for ‘insubordination’ after meeting Gaza protesters’ demands
www.politico.com
Just a moment...
California State University placed Sonoma State campus President Mike Lee on leave Wednesday after he agreed to protesters’ demands to involve them in university decision-making and pursue divestment from Israel.
OK, so you don't agree with the anti-genocide people and decide not to divest from Israel, fine... but putting someone on leave for insubordination because they listened to reasonable requests to divert investments? That's bullshit.
Imagine the board came to an agreement with the protestors, but the president refused to abide by the agreement. You would not be surprised if he were suspended, after all the board is the president's supervisor.
Well, this is the same thing. The board didn't want this agreement but the president went ahead without them. So the outcome is not surprising. Insubordination is insubordination regardless of which side you're on.
I think it depends on whether investment choices is something the board normally weighs in on, but your point is good: if this were the other way around, I would probably feel the action was justified.