Whereas, on February 8th, 2010 the University of California, Irvine welcomed the Israeli Ambassador to the United States, Michael Oren, to discuss United States - Israel relations, 

Whereas, eleven students in the crowd stood up and spoke out against the Ambassador, expressing their political opinion,

Whereas this event, and others like it, have created an unstable atmosphere on campus regarding the rights of students and free speech,

Whereas, the University of California is committed to fostering a safe and open environment for the free exchange of ideas,

Whereas, the University of California appreciates and celebrates diversity,

Whereas, disrupters (of any value, belief, or group) of any campus event poorly represent the values and foundations of the University of California as a whole,

Whereas, Mark G. Yudof (President of University of California) publically admitted that, “Chancellor Drake is responsible for ensuring members of the campus community at the University of California, Irvine [be] allowed to exercise their own speech rights, [and] a university is a special place for the exchange of view and ideas, and it is critical that our policies be conductive to a spirited intellectual life” [1],

Whereas, UCI also serves as an environment for the free expression of ideas on anybody’s behalf through scheduled forum,

Whereas, every student is entitled freedom of speech by the U.S. Constitution,

Whereas, Assemblyman Chuck DeVore announced that, "Free speech in America doesn't mean you have a right to shout [people] down…It means you can have your own event and protest, but you should do so elsewhere,'' emphasizing mutual respect [2],

Whereas one’s freedom of speech is inhibited by another’s expression of freedom of speech in a disorganized fashion,

Whereas, a precedent protecting students and their right to convene uninterrupted should be established to continue to serve the image of UCI’s safe and respectable environment,

Whereas, respect should be an utmost priority for every individual on the University of California, Irvine campus,

Whereas, the desire to foster healthy debate still remains to be a privilege of this campus’ students,

Whereas, Resolution R45-66 presented on 03.04.10 titled, “Resolution condemning academic repercussions for nonviolent protest,” set an unforeseen precedent that no meeting, of any type, and no speaker from any organization, is protected against impediments of opposing viewpoints,

Let it be resolved that a protocol be designed that protects the rights of individuals and groups by providing the opportunity to be heard in a respectful environment.

Furthermore, let it be resolved that from this moment forward this right should be guaranteed to anyone on campus and protected by the administration; this respect may be preserved by punishing those responsible for disrespectful interruptions as seen fit by the University of California, Irvine administration.

[1] President Yudof’s response to those writing him re the UCI Muslim Student           Union’s series, Israel: the Politics of Genocide

[2] Article on Southern California Public Radio website discussing the Michael          Oren event-

DeVore (quoted) is seeking the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-Calif.

<http://www.scpr.org/news/2010/02/24/uc-irvines-muslim-students-spokesperson-says-assem/>