UPDATE 11/8/2023: An earlier version of this article used harsher language in describing OSI’s actions. After feedback from community members we decided that this was an unfair characterization and have modified the article accordingly.
UCF’s Office of Student Involvement, the administrative organ which oversees student-led clubs and activities, has refused to recant a statement they released which fails to condemn violence and remind protestors of their obligations under the law.
The statement, released October 11th, reads in full:
RSO,
In light of recent world events, it is certainly understandable that many students have strong feelings, and a desire to express themselves. We would like to take this opportunity to remind you that the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) can help your organization plan a safe and effective event. We also want to be certain that you are familiar with university policies and regulations, as well as state and federal laws, related to campus demonstrations and free expression. The following references should be considered when planning an event:
Use Your Voice: https://osi.ucf.edu/agencies/use-your-voice/
UCF Regulation - Use of University Grounds by the Campus Community; Campus Demonstrations and Outdoor Events policy: https://regulations.ucf.edu/chapter4/documents/4.0293UseofUnivFacCampusDemonstrationsFINALJune18.pdf
Campus Free Expression Act: Florida Statutes s. 1004.097
Florida Educational Equity Act, Fla. Stat. s. 1000.05: https://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2023/1000.05
Additional laws and policies may apply. Please remember OSI is here to help.
While the statement was shared with every Registered Student Organization (RSO) at UCF, its contents fail to remind students that death threats and physical violence — which have featured prominently at pro-Hamas demonstrations — are not protected by the 1st Amendment to the United States Constitution. Instead, OSI offers support to the organizations which have repeatedly endorsed the Hamas pogrom and called for more Jews to be killed. A reader might find a reference to conduct not protected by the 1st Amendment buried inside of links which the email says “should [sic] be considered” when planning an event, although it isn’t clear if pro-Hamas student groups (who already celebrate Jewish deaths) will bother to read them.
While the email containing the statement was retracted shortly after sending, it was eventually re-sent with identical content. This is likely due to the original email copying its recipients in the clear, effectively doxxing the email addresses of every RSO’s primary contact. To protect these individuals and organizations, we will not share the original email.
The remarks come just over a year after OSI chose to headline an antisemitic, Holocaust denying musician at a concert for UCF students. An independent student-led investigation showed at the time that it was likely the administration had failed to perform basic research about the artist, leading to his selection, although it did not determine the reason behind OSI choosing to go forward with the event exactly as planned. Given OSI’s latest efforts to marginalize the UCF Jewish community, it is no longer clear if that decision was an honest mistake.
We will keep you updated with the results of our investigation into the matter.