UCF SDS Statement on Recent Call Regarding Student Conduct Amid Political Repression — Fight Back! News

Fight Back News Service is releasing the following statement from the University of Central Florida Students for a Democratic Society (UCF SDS) in Orlando, Florida.

On June 18, UCF student and SDS member Marcus Polzer filed an appeal of the formal panel hearing that found Polzer guilty of two counts of disruptive conduct. Students are entitled to appeal the hearing’s findings only on the basis of one or more of the following:

1. Irregularities in fairness and the procedures set out which could have affected the outcome of the hearing.

2. Discovery of new and material information that was not known or could not reasonably have been discovered and/or presented at the time of the original hearing.

3. The sanctions are grossly disproportionate to the violation(s).

On June 30, the accused student received a letter from an appeals officer regarding the appeal. The appeals officer is the final level of appeal and has the authority to approve or modify the original sanctions, or to send the case back for a new hearing. The officer chose to modify the sanctions to “more accurately reflect the totality of the circumstances of this case.” The semester of disciplinary probation was reduced to a disciplinary warning and the “Future Impact – Interview and Review” sanction was removed effective immediately.

UCF Students for a Democratic Society views this decision as a victory and proof that organizing and building student power is effective in advancing our demands. UCF is the students’ campus and we at SDS will continue to mobilize against political repression. Students are an integral part of this university and we will make our voices heard. Dare to fight, dare to win!

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