York slams student president for intimidation

 

 

York University recently reprimanded two students for their involvement in an alleged anti-Semitic incident, in which the two students maintain they were defending their peers from racism.

 

The university found the York Federation of Students’ (YFS) incoming president and 2008-09 vice-president (equity) Krisna

 

Saravanamuttu and fellow student Jesse Zimmerman had violated the York student code of conduct.

 

A report by Janet Mosher, a York adjudicator, stated Saravanamuttu and Zimmerman’s actions left Jewish students “feeling intimidated, frightened, tense and nervous,”and that they promoted an atmosphere of “hostility, incivility and intimidation” on campus on Feb. 11.

 

Saravanamuttu received a $150 fine from the university, a two-year formal reprimand on his academic record, a mandatory training session and a 15-page essay on equality, free speech and respect.

 

Zimmerman also received a reprimand on his record for one year, as well as mandatory training sessions and a 15-page essay.

 

Tensions arose in February when the Drop YFS campaign, demanding the impeachment of YFS executives, planned a public press conference on campus.

 

Students who were left outside the conference when the room had reached its 30-person capacity began to protest, many of whom included active members of YFS and its supporters.

 

As many Jewish students were involved in the Drop YFS campaign, some saw the nature of the protests as anti-Semitic, and claimed slogans such as “Shame on the Zionists,” “Zionism is racism,” and other such slurs were heard.

 

Both reprimanded students were chief among the students said to have led the protest.

 

Jewish advocacy groups at York such as Hillel and Hasbara have commended the university for the sanctions.

 

“It’s important that the university is starting to realize the magnitude of the events on campus. We hope that one day we will have a university free of intimidation, and hopefully this [sanction] sets a precedent,” said Hillel president Daniel Ferman.

 

Ferman explained that Drop YFS came from a feeling that the YFS had largely misrepresented students during the York TA strike by supporting the CUPE union.

 

However, Saravanamuttu argued that the participation of several Jewish advocacy groups involved with Drop YFS gives the campaign ulterior motives. 

 

“[The YFS] criticism on Israel’s attack on Gaza is action to impeach us,” Saravanamuttu said.

 

But Ferman denied the campaign’s alleged ties to Jewish rights were a part of the move to impeach the YFS executives.

 

“We saw a large variety of students coming behind the coalition, and we had over 5,000 signatures. There was widespread support for this,” said Ferman.

 

Despite YFS criticism, Saravanamuttu insisted that he and Zimmerman, as well as other students, were in fact defending their school from racism on Feb. 11.

 

“It’s absurd that I’m labelled a racist. There have been several complaints of discriminatory behaviour from students in the months leading up [to Feb. 11], and no actions taken by the university. Essentially, we were punished for wanting to peacefully protest,” said Saravanamuttu.

 

Nicole Saltz, a graduate student and past undergraduate student at York University, said she believes in the right to free speech, but not when it hinders education.

 

“I’m disappointed that groups like YFS don’t always exercise academic free speech, just inflammatory protest,” said Saltz.