Disturbed and Disappointed: Universities react to NYPD surveillance of Islamic student groups

When a twenty-two-year-old history major at Columbia University first read about the NYPDs surveillance program of Muslim communities, he felt uncomfortable.  This senior, who asked to remain anonymous, grew up in London with a Muslim father.  Last week the Associated press revealed that the NYPD had been spying on Muslim student groups at Columbia University since 2006.

“I understand that it's is designed with the intent of protecting America" the history student said, "but when does it become too intrusive?  When does it encroach on people's rights?

Columbia University Campus in Harlem
(collegeonline,com)

The program involves members of the police force tracking activity on Muslim websites and forums as well as undercover cops visiting Muslim neighborhoods and community groups.

In an online statement released February 21, the Columbia Muslim Students Association expressed its disappointment with the NYPD. 

“The Columbia Muslim Students Association is deeply saddened and disappointed by the news of the NYPD’s surveillance and monitoring of Muslim college students” the statement said.  “We are disturbed by the fact that Muslim students are targeted and profiled based on their ethnic backgrounds and religious beliefs alone, without any evidence or suspicion of wrongdoing.  We are concerned that news reports about NYPD’s presence on our campus have a chilling effect on the intellectual freedom necessary for a vibrant academic community.”

University president Lee Bollinger showed his support for the CMSA in an email sent to the students, faculty and administration of Columbia on February 24^th.  The letter was also published on the schools website.

“Such an intrusion into the normal, daily activities of our students raises deeply troubling questions that should concern us all” the letter read. 

According to Bollinger, there is nothing to suggest that the surveillance at Columbia went beyond the monitoring of websites.  He states that the University had no prior knowledge of this surveillance until the story appeared in the media.

“While we appreciate the daunting responsibility of keeping New York safe, law enforcement officials should not be conducting such surveillance of a particular group of students or citizens without any cause to suspect criminal conduct" the letter said.

NYU was also amongst the list of colleges monitored by the NYPD.   Student groups in the University have been quick to denounce the surveillance.  Last week the University held a roundtable and a teach-in to discuss the recent revelations and students gathered at the Kimmel Center to protest.

NYU students protest NYPD surveillance of Muslim Student Groups
(pavementpieces.com)

“This is wrong, this is unconstitutional,” said Sundus Arain, a sophomore at NYU’s College for Arts and Science, in an interview for the NYU newspaper.

John Sexton, the university president, wrote a letter to NYPD commissioner Ray Kelly, raising his concerns surrounding the surveillance of NYU students.  

“We find this troublesome and problematic” Sexton wrote.  “Our commitment to the free and peaceful exchange of ideas at the heart of our effectiveness as institutions of research and teaching and learning… Parents and students now wonder whether continued participation in the University’s Islamic community of worship is a risk.”

Mayor Michael Bloomberg has stood by the NYPDs surveillance program.

“I’m very proud of my defense of freedom,” Bloomberg said, responding to criticism.

“No one objects to making to keeping New York safe,” the Columbia history student said.    “But Bloomberg has to understand that this defense of freedom is stripping thousands of Muslims their freedom.  If people are worried about how their words might be interpreted, then how can they practice freedom of speech?"