Robinson Cleared by UCSB Academic Senate

After a tumultuous affair that began when UCSB sociology professor William Robinson sent an email to students comparing the Israeli occupation of Gaza with the Nazi-controlled Warsaw Ghetto during World War II, the UCSB Academic Senate decided to end an investigation that had set out to determine whether or not Robinson had violated the faculty code of conduct. “The committee did not find probable cause to undertake disciplinary action in this matter. I have accepted the findings of the charges committee. Accordingly, this matter is now terminated,” said Gene Lucas, executive vice chancellor, in a letter to Robinson.

The decision was handed down by the Academic Senate’s ad hoc charges committee on June 24, the day that the Foundation for Individual Freedom in Education (FIRE) said they had requested that UCSB end the investigation. The group – which had been contacted by Robinson – had threatened the university with a media campaign if their demands were not met, but Paul Desruisseaux, UCSB’s assistant vice chancellor of public affairs, said that the date of the action was purely coincidental. “The university is not badgered into action by outside interests,” he said. “Defending academic freedom was not inconsistent with conducting an inquiry to determine a possible violation of the faculty code of conduct.”

Throughout the proceedings of the initial complaint – made by two students in Robinson’s class who first contacted the professor before sending letters to the university’s administration as well as advocacy groups the Anti-Defamation League and Stand With Us – both Robinson’s supporters and detractors have accused one another of pressuring university officials. Desruisseaux said that once the complaint was made, it became a personnel matter.