For the record, on AAUP's position regarding the University of South Florida, I make three points:
- The AAUP is not supporting Professor Sami Al-Arian, but is supporting principles of justice and academic due process. If he is found guilty of the crimes for which he is indicted, I (and other members of AAUP, I am quite certain) will be among the first to urge appropriate penalties.
- Professor Al-Arian has not been convicted of any crime. The condemnation we voted to express is for the university administration's failure to provide him academic due process prior to his indictment. A fundamental principle of American democracy is the belief that persons accused of crimes are innocent until proven guilty in a legitimate judicial forum by a jury of their peers.
- The AAUP did not vote to censure the administration of the University of South Florida.
Jane BuckNational President American Association of University Professors