Editor’s note: This article describes Open MiC Night, which is hosted each fall by the Michigan in Color section of The Michigan Daily and features performances and static art by artists of Color. Students Allied for Freedom and Equality was among the multiple multicultural student organizations that tabled at this event. The Daily’s permit for the Diag allowed for the use of electricity, amplified sound and tables. While guidelines for the event sent to The Daily in a confirmation email specified that the sale of pre-packaged food items would not require additional permitting, the permit itself did not allow for the sale of these items.
Students Allied for Freedom and Equality announced in an Instagram post Thursday morning the organization had been suspended for up to two years and will no longer be recognized as an organization by the University of Michigan, following a Jan. 16 decision by Dean of Students Laura Blake Jones. The suspension comes three months after the University first filed a formal complaint through the office of Student Organization Advancement and Recognition Oct. 31, alleging SAFE had violated the Center for Campus Involvement’s Standards of Conduct for Recognized Student Organizations.
The complaint was filed by Stephanie Jackson, an outside consultant hired by the University. Jackson claimed SAFE violated three standards of conduct on numerous occasions: health and safety, appropriate use of space and adherence to other University policies. In reference to the violations, the complaint cited a protest outside Regent Sarah Hubbard’s (R) home May 15, a die-in demonstration at Festifall Aug. 28 and a tabling event Oct. 16 during Open MiC Night on the Diag.
According to the SOAR manual, the U-M Central Student Judiciary may act as a student governing body to facilitate a hearing on allegations against a student organization after a complaint is referred to them by CCI associate director Rigo Gutierrez. CSJ held a public hearing Dec. 5 to examine the claims, with statements from both Jackson and the SAFE co-presidents, Engineering senior Maryam Shafie and Public Policy senior Mariam Odeh. In their recommendation released Dec. 13, CSJ concluded SAFE was responsible for two of four violations at Festifall, one of two violations during Open MiC Night and none of the seven violations during the protest in front of Hubbard’s home.
After CSJ releases a recommendation, Jones may decide to uphold, overturn or modify the ruling within ten days. Jones sent the official University decision to Gutierrez Jan. 16, supporting some CSJ rulings but overturning others, finding SAFE responsible for additional violations in relation to Festifall and the protest on Hubbard’s lawn.
While CSJ recommended a one-month prohibition on using outdoor University spaces, a $75 fine and other formal reprimands, Jones also added a two-year disciplinary suspension to the sanctions against SAFE. The suspension may be removed if SAFE leadership holds three educational conversations with Jones, CCI Director Nick Smith, Associate Dean of Students Sarah Daniels and CCI staff members. However, the suspension may be reviewed no sooner than Winter 2026.
In the concluding statement of her decision, Jones wrote she recognized the significance of SAFE’s presence on campus and hoped the organization would take the necessary steps to return to full standing with the University.
“I took note of one of the witness’s expressed hope that the University would not institute the full two-to-four year suspension of recognition of SAFE that was requested by the complainant,” Jones wrote. “I recognize that SAFE’s history on campus and impact as a legacy organization supporting Palestinian students on the University of Michigan’s campus has been instrumental, and hope that the organization’s leaders will work in good faith to complete the education and restorative measures outlined in this decision so the organization can return to recognition.”
Either party may request an appeal following Jones’ decision by Feb. 6, which would then be reviewed by Martino Harmon, the University’s vice president for student life.
SAFE wrote in the Instagram post the organization felt the decision was targeted at its pro-Palestine activism.
“Suspending SAFE, a 20+ year old legacy organization, and the only student organization dedicated to the struggle for Palestinian liberation, is a clear continuation of admin’s politically-motivated attempts to erase Palestine from our campus,” the post read.
In an email to The Daily, LSA senior Tarana Sharma, SAFE’s media co-director, wrote the suspension would not stop campus activism calling on the University to divest from companies profiting off of human rights violations in Gaza and the West Bank.
“The suspension cannot limit the movement because our power lies in the students, staff, faculty, and community members who carry the call for divestment and Palestinian liberation alongside us — not in approval from an institution that invests in and profits from genocide, occupation, and destruction,” Sharma wrote. “Even if SAFE is banned, there are over 100+ student organizations that have endorsed the fight for divestment. The movement will continue undeterred.”
In an email to The Daily, University spokesperson Colleen Mastony wrote when SAFE became a campus organization, they agreed to adhere to the standards of conduct, which the University is committed to upholding to protect inclusivity on campus.
“Protests are welcome at U-M, so long as those protests do not infringe on the rights of others, significantly disrupt university events or operations, violate policies or threaten the safety of the community,” Mastony wrote. “The university has been clear that we will enforce our policies related to protests and expressive activity, and that we will hold individuals and student organizations accountable for their actions in order to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for all.”
Daily News Editor Marissa Corsi can be reached at macorsi@umich.edu.
The post UMich suspends SAFE for up to two years appeared first on The Michigan Daily.
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