www.RUMAA.org info@rumaa.

org

February 27, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CIVIL LIBERTY INFRINGEMENT: ALUMNI ASSOCIATION REQUESTS UNIVERSITY TO ACT Rutgers alumni met with Rutgers Universitys President Richard McCormick to present a petition conveying wide concerns about the recently exposed religion-based surveillance on Rutgers Campuses by the New York Police Department (NYPD), which has caused alarm to students, faculty, staff, alumni and concerned parents. The NYPD stepped far outside the jurisdiction of New York City in 2009 to monitor and observe students on the Rutgers New Brunswick and Rutgers Newark Campuses, as well as a handful of other universities spread across the Northeast region. According to press reports, the surveillance was not based on specific evidence of any criminal wrongdoing, but rather for purposes of general background intelligence gathering. These activities may violate the legal and civil rights of the groups and individuals targeted for surveillance. In defense of protecting civil liberties on campus, the Rutgers University Muslim Alumni Association (RUMAA) immediately drafted a petition that was circulated throughout the affected communities and subsequently presented to President McCormick, Vice President of Student Affairs Gregory Blimling, Vice President of Administration and Public Safety Jay Kohl, Vice President of Alumni Relations Donna Thornton and other representatives from the University on Monday, February 27, 2012 on the Rutgers New Brunswick campus. Rutgers previously issued a statement indicating that the University was unaware of the surveillance of Muslim students. RUMAA has called for a stronger statement by the University that condemns the actions of the NYPD and announces a zero tolerance policy against the profiling, discrimination and harassment of all Rutgers students. RUMAA continues to advocate for students privacy and freedoms on campus and serve as support and a voice for Muslim students. Rutgers students, faculty and staff are appalled at being stripped of their rights and are expressing a range of fear, sadness, outrage and disgust in response to the actions of the NYPD. RUMAA stepped forward to protect and maintain the rights of the Muslim community at the University, in the absence of a formal Chaplaincy at the present time. The petition is currently signed by over one thousand individuals who attest their disapproval of the NYPDs investigation. RUMAA has been proactively connecting with elected officials including New Jersey Senators Menendez and Lautenberg to request an investigation by the US Attorney Generals Office into the surveillance activities of the NYPD. President McCormick has affirmed that he likewise will call for the US and NJ Attorneys General Offices to launch an official inquiry into this matter. RUMAA presented the petition that calls for the University to take immediate action to preserve the rights and civil liberties of students. Additionally, the petition requests the Universitys Administration immediately address the issues by passing a resolution to call on the NYPD to reveal the extent to which students have been watched, to request the New York City Council to exercise meaningfully transparent oversight upon the NYPD, and that the Rutgers Administration request the names of the students who were subject to the surveillance and the nature of the information gathered. The group awaits a formal response from President McCormick but the University has given assurances that it will take aggressive action in defense of the students, faculty, staff and alumni under its watch. Meanwhile, RUMAA has taken steps to meet with and counsel Muslim students and alumni. In addition, RUMAA is in discussions with CLEAR CUNY (Creating Law Enforcement Accountability &

Responsibility, City University of New York) and the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law to coordinate Know Your Rights seminars on the Rutgers Camden, New Brunswick and Newark campuses to clarify students rights and freedoms. RUMAA continues to engage students, faculty, staff and the Administration in meaningful dialogue to defend the freedoms of all persons affiliated with the University. One of the groups goals is to bring sufficient attention to the critical issue of protecting students constitutional rights to further facilitate an investigation of the NYPDs actions. RUMAA continues to urge the Rutgers Administration to hold law enforcement accountable for their actions. Following the initial discussion with Administration personnel, RUMAA is hopeful of positive, meaningful action on the part of the University.

For more information about the Rutgers University Muslim Alumni Association and to sign the petition, visit www.RUMAA.org. RUMAAs vision is to develop and maintain a network of professional and social ties between Muslim alumni of Rutgers University while contributing to Muslim life on campus and to the Rutgers University community at large. Contact: info@rumaa.org