May 24, 2010
Update: May 26, 2010
Dear AUB Community,
With the announcement issued recently by AUB regarding the delayed implementation of the new tuition policy, I wish to address some remarks to all who hold this University dear.
Universities exist in part to champion the exercise of free speech and to empower the members of our community to use it. But the right to express one’s opinion requires judgment and consideration: free speech does not equate to free license. Last week the limits of tolerance and respect were violated in numerous ways.
I wish to salute those at AUB who upheld the best traditions of the University during three turbulent days: professors who endeavored to keep their classrooms open, though frequently subject to brute intimidation; students who exercised their freedom to get an education, though several were physically dragged out of class; staff members who crossed blockade lines in front of College Hall and other buildings, in the face of the crudest physical and verbal abuse.
Students of AUB: you are the hope of your parents and the future of this nation. This University offers you the chance to develop, with an unrivalled degree of freedom and critical thinking, the leadership skills you will be called upon to exercise for the greater good of your communities. Use this time wisely and well. I pledge to assist you in this process, involving students more closely in the informed decisions of the University, particularly in those areas such as financial aid, where you have such a great stake.
I wish to add a final thank-you to those students who, in spite of the week’s disruptions, forged ahead with a hugely successful AUB Outdoors event over this last weekend, inviting all of us—as well as our closest neighbors in Ras Beirut and beyond—to observe that AUB is indeed a place where community values can be celebrated.
With best wishes for success in your final exams,
Peter Dorman
President
Update: May 24, 2010
Update about the AUB Tuition increase
Update: May 26, 2010 Dear AUB Community, With the announcement issued recently by AUB regarding the delayed implementation of the new tuition policy, I wish to address some remark…
Update: May 26, 2010Dear AUB Community,
With the announcement issued recently by AUB regarding the delayed implementation of the new tuition policy, I wish to address some remarks to all who hold this University dear.
Universities exist in part to champion the exercise of free speech and to empower the members of our community to use it. But the right to express one’s opinion requires judgment and consideration: free speech does not equate to free license. Last week the limits of tolerance and respect were violated in numerous ways.
I wish to salute those at AUB who upheld the best traditions of the University during three turbulent days: professors who endeavored to keep their classrooms open, though frequently subject to brute intimidation; students who exercised their freedom to get an education, though several were physically dragged out of class; staff members who crossed blockade lines in front of College Hall and other buildings, in the face of the crudest physical and verbal abuse.
Students of AUB: you are the hope of your parents and the future of this nation. This University offers you the chance to develop, with an unrivalled degree of freedom and critical thinking, the leadership skills you will be called upon to exercise for the greater good of your communities. Use this time wisely and well. I pledge to assist you in this process, involving students more closely in the informed decisions of the University, particularly in those areas such as financial aid, where you have such a great stake.
I wish to add a final thank-you to those students who, in spite of the week’s disruptions, forged ahead with a hugely successful AUB Outdoors event over this last weekend, inviting all of us—as well as our closest neighbors in Ras Beirut and beyond—to observe that AUB is indeed a place where community values can be celebrated.
With best wishes for success in your final exams,
Peter Dorman
President
Update: May 24, 2010
In response to the request submitted by USFC to the new tuition policy:
While the University reiterates its commitment to its 15-credit policy in order to maintain academic excellence and increase financial opportunities for needy students to attend AUB, the University will start implementing the 15-credit policy only beginning with the undergraduate class of 2011-2012. During the coming academic year, 2010-2011, we will work towards enhancing the financial aid process.
Additionally, the University will guarantee a fixed 4% annual tuition increase for current and all students for 3 years, and will recommend to the Board of Trustees an extension of this guarantee for 2 additional years.
The budget allocated for financial aid continues to be used exclusively for financial aid. After the application of the new pricing policy, AUB will extend financial aid packages to cover the cost of the additional three credits for students eligible for financial aid, over and above the regular financial aid package.
The University will work with students to ensure and enhance the transparency of the financial aid system through the formation of an oversight committee made up of student members from USFC, faculty members and members of the administration. The committee’s work will be supported by:
a) An external consulting company to study the financial aid system at AUB and propose reform measures of the current system.
b) A thorough audit of the financial aid system by an external auditing firm that will provide assurance that the financial aid funds are being distributed equitably in accordance with the rules and regulations of the University. The oversight committee will receive the audit report and communicate it to the AUB community.
c) Regular reports from the oversight committee to be presented to all students via town meetings or emails (website), describing the process, the mishaps and proposed solutions.
d) For increased transparency, this committee will publish the number of students who apply for financial aid and the number of students who do not benefit from it.
e) The committee will create an appropriate and transparent appeal process for financial aid in case the students who apply do not benefit from it or find it unfair or unexplainable.
The Office of Development will work with the students, parents, and socially responsible businesses to raise additional scholarship funds over and above the current financial aid budget.
We are committed to maintaining open communication with the students in the days and weeks to come.
Yours truly,
Peter Dorman
President
AUB
Beirut
college
May 23, 2010
AUB Provest Attacks Students (video)
Link : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odbxzTGGf6Y
AUB
Beirut
college
May 22, 2010
Photos of AUB Provost freaking out on students during the AUB Tuition Increase Protest
Photos posted by Van Baptist on Facebook
Photos posted by Van Baptist on Facebook
AUB
Beirut
Lebanon
May 22, 2010
“The strike has been suspended at this point,” said student council president Elias Ghanem. “This compromise is for the benefit of the students.”
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was called in protest over university plans to raise tuition fees for new students. The proposed policy would have scrapped the university’s existing system whereby student pay for a maximum of 12 credits per semester, and would have raised the minimum number of credits to be paid for to 15.
The policy would have accounted for a rise of $3,000 in fees per year tuition for students starting after Fall 2010. Many students striking also expressed mistrust over how the money raised from the fee rise would be distributed.
“We have submitted a detailed proposal about how to end the strike, and about how to reform financial assistance, and there was a positive reaction to our requests,” said Ghanem.
The proposal submitted by students reduced their initial demand of the university that the proposed policy be scrapped, and instead called for a one-year postponement of the policy, in addition to the creation of an independent body to oversee how funds raised from tuition fees would be spent.
The terms also called for money raised to go toward financial aid, where as previously a portion had been set aside for loan guarantees and “strengthening academic institutions.”
The university agreed to the protesters’ new demands and will present a formal response on Monday morning, according to Ghanem.
The director of information and public relations at AUB, Hikmat Beaini, confirmed the university had agreed to terms with the students.
“The student body proposed a compromise and the administration said yes … The university said many times that we were open to negotiations, this is a positive development,” said Beaini. “The compromise calls for a one-year delay in implementing the new policy, in addition to getting students involved in how financial aid is distributed,” he added.
The strike was called on Wednesday after a “town-hall meeting” the previous day with students and staff, during which the university outlined the proposed policy. Protesters claimed after the meeting that the university was not being transparent about how the money would be used. Nearly 1,000 students rallied outside College Hall on Wednesday before marching to the residence of AUB’s president Peter Dorman.
Witnesses said the protestors were dispersed by AUB provost Ahmad Dallal. A meeting was then held between the university and the student council where the agreement was reached.
On Thursday, Dorman wrote a letter to students in response to their fears over the tuition fee rise. He said AUB’s administrators had heard student concerns over the proposed tuition hike but said only newly enrolling students would be affected. The change in fees would help AUB provide more financial aid to needy students, Dorman added.
AUB fees strike ends after agreement reached
This article is a repost from the Daily Star ( link ) BEIRUT : A strike held by students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) was ended on Friday after an agreement was reached…
This article is a repost from the Daily Star (link)BEIRUT: A strike held by students at the American University of Beirut (AUB) was ended on Friday after an agreement was reached between students and university administration.
“The strike has been suspended at this point,” said student council president Elias Ghanem. “This compromise is for the benefit of the students.”
The strike, which began on Wednesday, was called in protest over university plans to raise tuition fees for new students. The proposed policy would have scrapped the university’s existing system whereby student pay for a maximum of 12 credits per semester, and would have raised the minimum number of credits to be paid for to 15.
The policy would have accounted for a rise of $3,000 in fees per year tuition for students starting after Fall 2010. Many students striking also expressed mistrust over how the money raised from the fee rise would be distributed.
“We have submitted a detailed proposal about how to end the strike, and about how to reform financial assistance, and there was a positive reaction to our requests,” said Ghanem.
The proposal submitted by students reduced their initial demand of the university that the proposed policy be scrapped, and instead called for a one-year postponement of the policy, in addition to the creation of an independent body to oversee how funds raised from tuition fees would be spent.
The terms also called for money raised to go toward financial aid, where as previously a portion had been set aside for loan guarantees and “strengthening academic institutions.”
The university agreed to the protesters’ new demands and will present a formal response on Monday morning, according to Ghanem.
The director of information and public relations at AUB, Hikmat Beaini, confirmed the university had agreed to terms with the students.
“The student body proposed a compromise and the administration said yes … The university said many times that we were open to negotiations, this is a positive development,” said Beaini. “The compromise calls for a one-year delay in implementing the new policy, in addition to getting students involved in how financial aid is distributed,” he added.
The strike was called on Wednesday after a “town-hall meeting” the previous day with students and staff, during which the university outlined the proposed policy. Protesters claimed after the meeting that the university was not being transparent about how the money would be used. Nearly 1,000 students rallied outside College Hall on Wednesday before marching to the residence of AUB’s president Peter Dorman.
Witnesses said the protestors were dispersed by AUB provost Ahmad Dallal. A meeting was then held between the university and the student council where the agreement was reached.
On Thursday, Dorman wrote a letter to students in response to their fears over the tuition fee rise. He said AUB’s administrators had heard student concerns over the proposed tuition hike but said only newly enrolling students would be affected. The change in fees would help AUB provide more financial aid to needy students, Dorman added.
AUB
Beirut
Lebanon
May 21, 2010
Interview with students on the Tuition Increase Policy at AUB
Sawt Al Niswa interviewed students involved in the strike against the 31% increase to tuition. This increase to tuition is part of AUB’s intention in making quality education less…
Sawt Al Niswa interviewed students involved in the strike against the 31% increase to tuition. This increase to tuition is part of AUB’s intention in making quality education less accessible to middle class student. Independent students are now leading the initiative after the USFC failed to lead a united student movement. (link)
AUB
Beirut
Lebanon
May 21, 2010
Here what I got from the PCC and the BDS. Waiting for further clarifications:
Despite clear support from other clubs and participants in the strike, the PCC and BDS have decided to withdraw our support and participation from this activity. We intend to continue to fight for equality and accessibility of quality higher education for all people of Lebanon. We urge you to join us, but we also urge you to not to participate in the USFC's exclusionary, unprincipled strike.
At 9:00 am today (Friday) we will be distributing a bayyan at Main Gate explaining our reasons behind our withdrawl from this so-called "strike." Please join us, we need your support. We do not take the USFC's actions lightly, and we will not tolerate their irresponsible, ill-mannered and frankly racist behavior against the Palestinian Cultural Club.
PCC and BDS withdrew from the Tuition Increase "Revolution" at AUB
The following article is a repost from Farfahine blog. ( link ) AUB Strike: PCC & BDS withdrew. "We won't tolerate the USFC's irresponsible, ill-mannered & racis…
The following article is a repost from Farfahine blog. (link)AUB Strike: PCC & BDS withdrew. "We won't tolerate the USFC's irresponsible, ill-mannered & racist behavior"
Here what I got from the PCC and the BDS. Waiting for further clarifications:
After a series of events today, during which the leadership of the USFC strike did not stick to the plans that were decided upon during the meetings the night before and during which USFC VP Elias Ghanem unilaterally demanded Palestinian Cultural Club be kicked out of the strike, we have decided to withdraw our participation from this strike. These "leaders" from the UCSF "organizing" this strike are not serious; they do not represent us. While USFC members show up with their speeches on the megaphone once the crowds have gathered, they go to classes once the crowds have dispersed. This hypocrisy is not worth our time, hard work, effort, and resources.
Despite clear support from other clubs and participants in the strike, the PCC and BDS have decided to withdraw our support and participation from this activity. We intend to continue to fight for equality and accessibility of quality higher education for all people of Lebanon. We urge you to join us, but we also urge you to not to participate in the USFC's exclusionary, unprincipled strike.At 9:00 am today (Friday) we will be distributing a bayyan at Main Gate explaining our reasons behind our withdrawl from this so-called "strike." Please join us, we need your support. We do not take the USFC's actions lightly, and we will not tolerate their irresponsible, ill-mannered and frankly racist behavior against the Palestinian Cultural Club.
Here is the statement that will be distributed today among the students, in arabic:
إضراب على مين؟!
نحن النادي الثقافي الفلسطيني ورفاقهم في الجامعة الأمريكية في بيروت نعلن انسحابنا من الإضراب الطلابي. مع العلم أننا كرافضين لسياسة زيادة الأقساط كنّا من أول الداعمين والمشاركين في الإضراب السلمي. و للتنويه ليست مشكلتنا في زيادة النسبة المئوية للأقساط فقط بل نطالب بالعدالة والمساواة في الحصول على فرص التعليم للجميع دون استثناء.
نرفض وندين طريقة التعامل العنصرية مع أعضاء النادي الثقافي الفلسطيني من قبل مجلس الطلبة (USFC) واقصائهم عن المشاركة بعد اتهامهم بعدم الانصياع للأوامر والتهجّم على عميد الطلبة. علماً أنّ الخطوات التي اتُخذت من طلاب النادي وجميع طلاب الجامعة كانت مطابقة للخطة التي اتُفق عليها من قِبل مجلس الطلبة وجميع المشاركين في الإضراب. ونستنكر الادعاء الكاذب بأننا تعرضنا للعميد مع التذكير بأنّ العكس هو ما حدث.
قد أثبت منظموا الإضراب بأنهم غير جديّين ويتبعون منهج عنصري وفاشي وغير أخلاقي!
نأسف أنّ الوحدة الطّلابية التي دعا اليها مجلس الطلبة تفكّكت بسبب أفعال مجلس الطلبة ذاته. فكبف يمكن لطلاب الجامعة الأمريكية أن يتّحدوا لتحقيق مطالبهم دون أن يتّسموا بمبادئ أخلاقية لا عنصرية؟!!
النادي الثقافي الفلسطيني
والطلاب اليساريون
في الجامعة الأمريكية في بيروت
AUB
Beirut
class
May 20, 2010
English
Daily Star: AUB students hold strike against hike in tuition fees (link)
Star Scene: AUB students protest against tuition increase (link)
Now Lebanon: Strike at AUB (link)
Demotix: Students of AUB university in Lebanon protest rise in tuition fees (link)
This is Beirut: Empty classrooms a week before finals at AUB! (link)
iloubnan: AUB students go on strike protesting increase of tuition (link)
Gino's Blog: The AUB Problem Breakdown (link)
Farfahine: Letter from AUB students: Support us to take our campus back. (link)
Blog Under Construction: AUB Students Boycott Classes (link)
Sawt Al Niswa: Stike: It is your right, For your right and theirs (link)
Occupy California: American University of Beirut on Strike (link)
Arabic
Al-Mustaqbal: الجامعة الأميركية.. بلا زيادة أو نقصان (link)
AUB Student Protest makes national and regional headlines
Below are some articles from renowned newspapers and blogs across Lebanon and the region that discuss the Student protest at the American University of Beirut due to the shift fro…
Below are some articles from renowned newspapers and blogs across Lebanon and the region that discuss the Student protest at the American University of Beirut due to the shift from the 12-credits system to the 15-credit system which increase the tuition for newly enrolled students (as of Fall 2010) up-to 25%.
Daily Star: AUB students hold strike against hike in tuition fees (link)
Star Scene: AUB students protest against tuition increase (link)
Now Lebanon: Strike at AUB (link)
Demotix: Students of AUB university in Lebanon protest rise in tuition fees (link)
This is Beirut: Empty classrooms a week before finals at AUB! (link)
iloubnan: AUB students go on strike protesting increase of tuition (link)
Gino's Blog: The AUB Problem Breakdown (link)
Farfahine: Letter from AUB students: Support us to take our campus back. (link)
Blog Under Construction: AUB Students Boycott Classes (link)
Sawt Al Niswa: Stike: It is your right, For your right and theirs (link)
Occupy California: American University of Beirut on Strike (link)
Arabic
Al-Mustaqbal: الجامعة الأميركية.. بلا زيادة أو نقصان (link)
Al-Nahar: إدارة الأميركية لا تتراجع عن الزيادة والطلاب يستعدون لتصعيد تحركهم الاحتجاجي (link)
Al-Akhbar: طلاب الأميركيّة و الـ 25%: لن ندفع (link)
Al- Safir: تحرك حاشد في الأميركية ضد رفع الأقساط: لا لـجامعة البرجوازيين (link)
Al- Safir: تحرك حاشد في الأميركية ضد رفع الأقساط: لا لـجامعة البرجوازيين (link)
Al- Markaziya: طلاب الأميركية تظاهروا احتجاجاً على ارتفاع الأقساط (link)
La Nation Libanaise - Mouvement Patriote Libanais: Grabuge à l’Université Américaine de Beyrouth (link)
Follow the protest on their official twitter page here.
French
La Nation Libanaise - Mouvement Patriote Libanais: Grabuge à l’Université Américaine de Beyrouth (link)
Follow the protest on their official twitter page here.
If you have written an article about the AUB Student Protest and I haven't linked to your article, please post a link in the comments section so that I can update the list.
Arabic
AUB
Beirut
May 20, 2010
Message from the AUB President Peter Dorman about Wednesday Tuition Increase Protest
Dear AUB Students, I’d like to congratulate the organizers of the demonstration yesterday for an event that was well organized and well executed, making a number of deep concerns t…
Dear AUB Students,
I’d like to congratulate the organizers of the demonstration yesterday for an event that was well organized and well executed, making a number of deep concerns to our students known to the administration. I especially appreciate the commitment by the organizers—representing the USFC and the Campaign for an Affordable Acceptable Education—that their aims are “voluntary, nonviolent, and progressive.” The event was carried out in a manner consistent with that pledge, and I applaud both the intention and the outcome; it reflects the best traditions of free speech and the dynamics of a responsive academic setting.
Yesterday I had the chance to talk with a number of students who had relevant questions about the new tuition policy. One question needs to be laid to rest immediately. A good number believed that they would have significantly higher tuition costs next year and were worried about how they or their families could afford it. Nothing could be further from the truth. For current students, tuition will be priced according to the present 12-hour credit system and AUB promises to freeze tuition increases at 4% for the next three years. We do not feel that we can change the rules of the game for students who are in the middle of a multi-year university commitment. This would not be fair to them or their parents.
Another young woman at FEA, knowing of our pledge to cover 75% of the added tuition burden for eligible students under the new pricing policy (again: which applies only for students enrolling for the first time in 2010) asked if we could cover that final last 25% with financial aid. I promised her we would review our options. We have been discussing that very question, and feel that we can soon propose a solution that will in fact cover 100% of the added burden for students who need it.
One slogan I began to hear yesterday is that the new tuition policy is just “stealing from the rich and giving to the poor.” Actually, that is a somewhat accurate, if sardonic, description of what direct financial aid is all about. It is what AUB and thousands of American universities and colleges have been doing for decades, and is the foundation for permitting needy students to study here. The system is simple: out of all tuition revenues received, a certain percentage is dedicated toward outright grants to offset the costs of tuition to students who otherwise could not afford to enroll here. AUB is one university in Lebanon that gives significant amounts of direct grant to its neediest students, rather than loans. If this system did not exist, AUB would be an institution for the purely elite, available only to those who could pay full freight—something none of us wants. Rather, we aspire truly to be a “college for all classes and conditions of men.” (And women.) Let me add that financial aid generated from tuition revenues (about 30% of the total) is supplemented generously by annual donations given by alumni and trustees, by endowed scholarship funds set up by donors and alumni chapters, and by government grants. In other words, the benefits of “stealing from the rich and giving to the poor” are enjoyed by all who use and enjoy our campus, by ensuring that we maintain a diverse student body represented by every region and socio-economic group of Lebanon, as well as countries beyond.
The administration has heard your concerns, and I was presented an eloquent statement from Jeffrey Karam, which I have read with interest. Yesterday Provost Dallal publicly declared that we are ready to meet with the organizers of the demonstration to discuss these issues. Yesterday I was also able to make the same pledge to USFC vice-president, Elias Ghanem, and others, that I am ready to begin discussions any time after 9 AM this morning. Open discussion is the essence of university life and the key to resolving the remaining issues. It is also essential that continuing engagement be “voluntary, nonviolent, and progressive,” so that those who wish to attend classes and go to work not be prevented from doing so.
With best wishes,
Peter Dorman
President
AUB
Beirut
class
May 19, 2010
Dear AUB Students,
After our highly appreciated success with the strike today, I send my fellow students the warmest cheers and sincere admiration of your commitment in raising our concerns to the administration.
However, this is just the BEGINNING.
Following today's movement, we are calling for a second day of strike that will continue with no turning point until our demand is met. We will escalate the intensity of our movement with absolute commitment. We believe in AUB students! You will not turn us down!
Meeting point: 7am, West Hall. All students are requested to participate.
Gathering at 12:00pm, Main Gate.
Elias Ghanem
VP-USFC
AUB Students' Movement
AUB Tuition Increase Protest Update
Below is a message sent from the USFC Student Vice President Elias Ghanem to AUB Students about continuing the strike tomorrow (Thursday) For the whole album of photos from today&…
Below is a message sent from the USFC Student Vice President Elias Ghanem to AUB Students about continuing the strike tomorrow (Thursday)
For the whole album of photos from today's protest, check this facebook album.
Dear AUB Students,
After our highly appreciated success with the strike today, I send my fellow students the warmest cheers and sincere admiration of your commitment in raising our concerns to the administration.
However, this is just the BEGINNING.
Following today's movement, we are calling for a second day of strike that will continue with no turning point until our demand is met. We will escalate the intensity of our movement with absolute commitment. We believe in AUB students! You will not turn us down!
Meeting point: 7am, West Hall. All students are requested to participate.
Gathering at 12:00pm, Main Gate.
Elias Ghanem
VP-USFC
AUB Students' Movement
AUB
Beirut
class
May 19, 2010
More live photos from the AUB protest (Taken by me)
More photos on @ dyalab 's twitpic album
AUB
Beirut
Lebanon
May 19, 2010
Live Photos from the AUB Protest
Photos by: Jad Baroudi Photo by: JimRamK
Photos by: Jad Baroudi
Photo by: JimRamK
AUB
Beirut
Lebanon
May 19, 2010
Message from the Dean's Office at AUB concerning the protest
Dear Students, Today we have witnessed major student protests across the campus against the proposed changes in tuition fees that are due for implementation next year. AUB has in i…
Dear Students,
Today we have witnessed major student protests across the campus against the proposed changes in tuition fees that are due for implementation next year. AUB has in its long history not only tolerated the right of students to express their views but has explicitly promoted this right. Over the years this has been done in many ways, whether through the USFC, Outlook, protests and sit-ins.
For students who are participating in the protests against the tuition fees changes, or thinking of doing so, I urge you to do so while fully respecting the rights of other students who wish to attend classes, or study in the libraries in peace, or go about their day-to-day business without disruption. Likewise it is important to remember the other valuable segments of our community, including faculty members and staff, who feel a personal duty to carry out their duties to the University and its community. They too have a right to disagree with the strike action or if they agree with it may still not want to take part.
Ultimately, our shared aim is to protect the greater good and the greater good is the University, its good name and its ability to serve its community. This includes you, the students. Cutting off the nose to spite the face is a sure way to take a cause down the road to ruin. I urge you to work with us to ensure that those with destructive streaks do not exploit this event to vandalize our buildings and property, or confront other students or faculty members. Moreover, please respect our neighborhood by not taking action that turns our neighbors, both businesses and residents, against you the students and against the University.
I am counting on your maturity and on your sense of responsibility during these controversial times.
Regards,
Maroun Kisirwani
Dean of Student Affairs
AUB
Beirut
class
May 19, 2010
Tarek H. Al Choikani: HIJAZI!!!!! its like ur pushing me to reply to u!!
metel ijri if u read this or not, and metel ijri if u reply to this or not!! but i think its better if u understand the following points:
- The guy who spoke on behalf on USFC is Jeffery btw and he DID introduce his name! so i think u should go see a doctor on the expenses of the medical center WHICH will certainly start making losses trying to make u understand and correct ur insanity.
- he gave more valid points than the VP did! i attended the meeting and ur tweets seem so biased!! the tenderness and relaxation in ur tone when referring to VP Kenny as if he is an angel and the anger and madness when reffering to Jeffery! as if he is ur enemy!! Hijazi! u r attacking the wrong person! iza mab3oos mn hiba go and face her! dont come and attack a revolution done by hundreds if not thousands of students just because of a STUPID EVENT THAT U WORKED ON FOR A MONTH!! i have worked in many clubs before and i lost many times, [...]! but i never blamed it on outdoors that day or the job fair! cuz it wasnt intentional!! and u need to understand that! the universe for some reason chose ur event to be the victim! but do u really think that we should have stopped the campaign for ur own sake and just pay the $3000 hek! ill go to my dad and tell him :" dad, bala zana5a moe 3ando event dfa3 $ 3000 yalla wlo" how could u accept this to urself! how could you ignore the society that u live in for ur personal sake! and above all HOW DARE YOU say we are the selfish ones in ur last article when all ur thinking about is ur interests and all we are thinking about is the AUB COMMUNITY INTEREST!!.
another EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT, U!! URSELF among all "journalists" in aub wrote an article about wasta in the finacial aid system, u were fired from ur job for it! and everyone respected the way u dealt with it! and i was shocked when i find u now supporting this system!! u r actually adding $30mil to the financial aid system which WE ALL KNOW IS CORRUPT!! and u said it... u r contradicting urself! how could u waste that much money! how could u cover it up and ignore it! u lost an event SO WAT!! AUB COULD LOSE ALOT ALOT ALOT MORE FROM THEM because of the corruption in that stupid financial aid program!! it is a fucking rip off and u know it and u r DEFENDING IT! and all i can say about it is that u r supporting a crime being done in AUB!!!
finally, before claiming to be a journalist make sure u match the criteria!! a journalist should report the truth and ONLY THE TRUTH without adding his/her anger or input to it! wat u did now is highly unprofessional, i assume in my opinion and the usfc opinion u dont qualify to be a journalist and ABOVE ALL u dont qualify to be a student in this university!! for we are all stand united for our cause while all u care about is UR interest and only YOURS!! u only qualify to be a BIASED RADICAL SELFISH SELFCENTERED human project that is being developed by aub administration to provide a cover for an organized crime done by AUB adminstration and board of trustees!! WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION you are still immature, ur ideas are like a baby, cries without thinking of the reasons of crying! so i hope one day u reconsider! and i know u r reconsidering, but its just ur nature to not show that innak nba3aset! and the proof is that u deactivated ur fb yday and reactivated it today! hoping u can fight us back!! but u missed the fact that NOT A SIGNLE COMMENT SUPPORTED U! and im sure im the most harsh one between all! cuz i have always fought ur radical ideas! AND IM PROUD TO HAVE SUCH A REPLY TO YOU!! BUT WAT A WASTE!!
i know u might not read this or reply to it and i dont care, but im sure some people will read this reply and realize the stupidity u have! and im sure ppl will go back to ur previous note and read it with ur comments and realize the true reasons behind all this! and im SURE ABOVE ALL that they will realize the seriousness and importance of this campaign and how much we are ready to give for it!!
Tarek H. Al Choikani: we dont care about ur blog! go fuck ur self with it! dean kisrwani walla 3'ero cant stop u from doing wat u want! just to let u know im only replying to u hoping u would join us cuz u r the only studnet in the whole aub community who is against this! but it is not gonna stop usfc from doing this protest! ma kteer tsade2 7alak w ta3ti 7ajem la 7alak! ad ma kberet u will always remain the student who betrayed his university!! the campaign will continue and it is more HUGE than inno nenbe5e3 cuz of a blog that no one reads!! lawla facebook kellak ma 7ada 2areek inta! LIAR! BIASED!! BETRAYALLL!!!
Hate mail
Oooh how I love hate-mail. It shows you who your real friends are. Below, you will see that obviously, someone is pissed about my recent decision not to endorse the tuition increa…
Oooh how I love hate-mail. It shows you who your real friends are. Below, you will see that obviously, someone is pissed about my recent decision not to endorse the tuition increase protest, its even worse than that American Jew being pissed about the new Miss USA.
Tarek H. Al Choikani: HIJAZI!!!!! its like ur pushing me to reply to u!!
metel ijri if u read this or not, and metel ijri if u reply to this or not!! but i think its better if u understand the following points:
- The guy who spoke on behalf on USFC is Jeffery btw and he DID introduce his name! so i think u should go see a doctor on the expenses of the medical center WHICH will certainly start making losses trying to make u understand and correct ur insanity.
- he gave more valid points than the VP did! i attended the meeting and ur tweets seem so biased!! the tenderness and relaxation in ur tone when referring to VP Kenny as if he is an angel and the anger and madness when reffering to Jeffery! as if he is ur enemy!! Hijazi! u r attacking the wrong person! iza mab3oos mn hiba go and face her! dont come and attack a revolution done by hundreds if not thousands of students just because of a STUPID EVENT THAT U WORKED ON FOR A MONTH!! i have worked in many clubs before and i lost many times, [...]! but i never blamed it on outdoors that day or the job fair! cuz it wasnt intentional!! and u need to understand that! the universe for some reason chose ur event to be the victim! but do u really think that we should have stopped the campaign for ur own sake and just pay the $3000 hek! ill go to my dad and tell him :" dad, bala zana5a moe 3ando event dfa3 $ 3000 yalla wlo" how could u accept this to urself! how could you ignore the society that u live in for ur personal sake! and above all HOW DARE YOU say we are the selfish ones in ur last article when all ur thinking about is ur interests and all we are thinking about is the AUB COMMUNITY INTEREST!!.
another EXTREMELY IMPORTANT POINT, U!! URSELF among all "journalists" in aub wrote an article about wasta in the finacial aid system, u were fired from ur job for it! and everyone respected the way u dealt with it! and i was shocked when i find u now supporting this system!! u r actually adding $30mil to the financial aid system which WE ALL KNOW IS CORRUPT!! and u said it... u r contradicting urself! how could u waste that much money! how could u cover it up and ignore it! u lost an event SO WAT!! AUB COULD LOSE ALOT ALOT ALOT MORE FROM THEM because of the corruption in that stupid financial aid program!! it is a fucking rip off and u know it and u r DEFENDING IT! and all i can say about it is that u r supporting a crime being done in AUB!!!
finally, before claiming to be a journalist make sure u match the criteria!! a journalist should report the truth and ONLY THE TRUTH without adding his/her anger or input to it! wat u did now is highly unprofessional, i assume in my opinion and the usfc opinion u dont qualify to be a journalist and ABOVE ALL u dont qualify to be a student in this university!! for we are all stand united for our cause while all u care about is UR interest and only YOURS!! u only qualify to be a BIASED RADICAL SELFISH SELFCENTERED human project that is being developed by aub administration to provide a cover for an organized crime done by AUB adminstration and board of trustees!! WITHOUT ANY EXCEPTION you are still immature, ur ideas are like a baby, cries without thinking of the reasons of crying! so i hope one day u reconsider! and i know u r reconsidering, but its just ur nature to not show that innak nba3aset! and the proof is that u deactivated ur fb yday and reactivated it today! hoping u can fight us back!! but u missed the fact that NOT A SIGNLE COMMENT SUPPORTED U! and im sure im the most harsh one between all! cuz i have always fought ur radical ideas! AND IM PROUD TO HAVE SUCH A REPLY TO YOU!! BUT WAT A WASTE!!
i know u might not read this or reply to it and i dont care, but im sure some people will read this reply and realize the stupidity u have! and im sure ppl will go back to ur previous note and read it with ur comments and realize the true reasons behind all this! and im SURE ABOVE ALL that they will realize the seriousness and importance of this campaign and how much we are ready to give for it!!
Tarek H. Al Choikani: we dont care about ur blog! go fuck ur self with it! dean kisrwani walla 3'ero cant stop u from doing wat u want! just to let u know im only replying to u hoping u would join us cuz u r the only studnet in the whole aub community who is against this! but it is not gonna stop usfc from doing this protest! ma kteer tsade2 7alak w ta3ti 7ajem la 7alak! ad ma kberet u will always remain the student who betrayed his university!! the campaign will continue and it is more HUGE than inno nenbe5e3 cuz of a blog that no one reads!! lawla facebook kellak ma 7ada 2areek inta! LIAR! BIASED!! BETRAYALLL!!!
AUB
Beirut
hate
May 18, 2010
This was my first experience with twitter reporting, and I am glad to say it was very enjoyable.
Tomorrow, I will be covering parts of the protest via twitter also, and between my classes. (No, I am not skipping classes, here's why)
Below are the tweets related to today's meeting from newest to oldest, so I would recommend that you read from bottom to top.
Covering the Town meeting held by AUB Administration to discuss the tuition increase at AUB
Today, I attended the tuition increase town meeting that was held by members of the AUB Administration (President Dorman, VP Kenny, Provost Dallal, Dean Kisirwani, etc) and I was …
Today, I attended the tuition increase town meeting that was held by members of the AUB Administration (President Dorman, VP Kenny, Provost Dallal, Dean Kisirwani, etc) and I was reporting the event live on twitter via @mhijazi.This was my first experience with twitter reporting, and I am glad to say it was very enjoyable.
Tomorrow, I will be covering parts of the protest via twitter also, and between my classes. (No, I am not skipping classes, here's why)
Below are the tweets related to today's meeting from newest to oldest, so I would recommend that you read from bottom to top.
AUB
Beirut
class
May 18, 2010
Why am I officially not supporting the Tuition Increase protest anymore?
I am officially not supporting the Tuition Increase protest anymore. Why am I so pissed, you ask? This protest, no matter how important, will effectively ruin around four months of …
I am officially not supporting the Tuition Increase protest anymore.
Why am I so pissed, you ask?
This protest, no matter how important, will effectively ruin around four months of work for the student organized AUB Outdoors and one month work for the Lebanese Bloggers Convention at AUB.
What the protesters don't realize is that because of the tuition, the media will badly convey the situation in AUB, will over-explode the protest and portray to the public that AUB is unsafe, which will decrease the attendees of the AUB Outdoors.
The profits of the AUB Outdoors goes solely to the AUB clubs and societies and AUB financial aid; these clubs that are helping organize this protest! How is this not a double-standard, really?
Also, the fund that goes to financial aid will substantially decrease, and ironically this may be one of the goals of the tuition increase to begin with.
Moreover, how selfish are the people who demand that students don't attend classes in a period near to the final exams, where professors will be giving mock final exams, study hints, and revisions. It is also a period of lab finals, seminars, final year projects, paper due dates and case assignments. How are students supposed to skip classes, huh? How is getting bad grades on finals going to decrease the tuition?
This protest is very untimely. Whoever decided on this date had apparently no consideration of what is going on around him. Would it have killed them to protest last week when this announcement was made? Would it have killed them to protest next week when these important events were held?
No.
They just care about showing how the USFC is working oh so hard this year, showing how much they care about the tuition increase "because they would want to afford it when they want to enroll their children in AUB".
How selfish, really!
For those of you who do not know, this increase doesn't apply to currently enrolled students, but to newly enrolled students starting next fall. I don't see them complaining! So why are you so gulped-up on sugar and all worked up? Good students will get scholarships to AUB like they usually do, and other students will know the tuition fees before deciding to enroll.
So stop making such a big fuss about it. If you haven't noticed yet, everything is getting more expensive. I don't see you protesting the increase in price of food by more that 25%, or the increase in price of fuel, or increase in price of hospital bills.
Stop making such attention whores of yourselves..
and let the people live their lives.
AUB
Beirut
blog features
May 17, 2010
PRESS RELEASE: Lebanese Bloggers Convention and the AUB Tuition Increase Protest
Most of you might have heard about the tuition increase protest that will be occurring in AUB on Wednesday. Here's a small briefing: The AUB Administration has announced last we…
Most of you might have heard about the tuition increase protest that will be occurring in AUB on Wednesday.
Here's a small briefing:
The AUB Administration has announced last week that it will be abandoning the current 12-credit tuition system (whereby students pay only for 12 credits, and can get up to 17 credits for free) to a 15-credit tuition system without reducing the credit price. This will lead to a 25% increase for new enrolling students (around $3000 to $4000 per year).
Anyway, the student governance at AUB in coordination with various clubs and societies are protesting starting Wednesday and calling for students to boycott their classes. A huge number of students (around 2000) will be blocking AUB's main entrances, buildings and pathways for some time.
It is still not clear how long this protest will last, but I was informed that they are planning to stay longer than 5:00 PM. During this time, security at AUB will be greatly heightened and I am not sure if the event can still be hosted during that day.
It also is not to our advantage that the main host, Outlook, the official student newspaper at AUB, are being uncooperative towards this event, and focusing most of their attention on the protest.
This event has been officially cancelled by the office of Student Affairs at AUB (read more). I will be working with the Dean's office to try and postpone it to a later date.
AUB
Beirut
blog features
September 20, 2009
First-time director Ahmed Abdallah also withdrew his film “Heliopolis” from the schedule, protesting the presentation of 10 films on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, which is being featured as part of the “City to City” program.
The controversy gained steam after Maher’s decision to withdraw his film, which was produced by the Egyptian ministry of culture, screened and nominated at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. It is still unclear whether Maher’s decision to revoke the film will force it from the viewers.
Festival co-director Cameron Bailey lauded the Egpytian filmmakers for “having a really strong year, addressing tough issues of their society and telling good stories,” according to statements in local newspapers.
Egypt has a long history of anti-normalization with Israel, especially culturally. A number of Israeli productions have been banned from showing at the Cairo International Film Festival and even Egyptian actor Amr Waked was criticized and condemned for acting alongside an Israeli actor in a BBC production on Saddam Hussein. He was threatened with being kicked out of the actors guild in Egypt.
Bailey had singled out both “Heliopolis” and “The Traveller,” as well as Cairo-born filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah’s “Scheherazade, Tell me a Story,” for praise and was disappointed by the filmmakers decisions to withdraw from the festival.
Just prior to the festival’s start, however, some 50 intellectuals and filmmakers, including British director Ken Loach, accused North America’s premier film festival of “complicity with the Israeli propaganda machine” over its spotlight this year on Tel Aviv, given “the absence of Palestinian filmmakers in the program.”
Egyptian filmmakers pull-out of Toronto festival in protest
CAIRO: Controversy abounds at the Toronto Film Festival after Ahmed Maher, the Egyptian directof of “The Traveler” pulled his film from the lineup in protest of the festival’s spo…
CAIRO: Controversy abounds at the Toronto Film Festival after Ahmed Maher, the Egyptian directof of “The Traveler” pulled his film from the lineup in protest of the festival’s spotlight on Israel. The move has been received in Egypt with much praise, signaling the ongoing fight against any normalization with Israel, whether political or cultural.First-time director Ahmed Abdallah also withdrew his film “Heliopolis” from the schedule, protesting the presentation of 10 films on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv, which is being featured as part of the “City to City” program.
The controversy gained steam after Maher’s decision to withdraw his film, which was produced by the Egyptian ministry of culture, screened and nominated at the Venice Film Festival earlier this month. It is still unclear whether Maher’s decision to revoke the film will force it from the viewers.
Festival co-director Cameron Bailey lauded the Egpytian filmmakers for “having a really strong year, addressing tough issues of their society and telling good stories,” according to statements in local newspapers.
Egypt has a long history of anti-normalization with Israel, especially culturally. A number of Israeli productions have been banned from showing at the Cairo International Film Festival and even Egyptian actor Amr Waked was criticized and condemned for acting alongside an Israeli actor in a BBC production on Saddam Hussein. He was threatened with being kicked out of the actors guild in Egypt.
Bailey had singled out both “Heliopolis” and “The Traveller,” as well as Cairo-born filmmaker Yousry Nasrallah’s “Scheherazade, Tell me a Story,” for praise and was disappointed by the filmmakers decisions to withdraw from the festival.
Just prior to the festival’s start, however, some 50 intellectuals and filmmakers, including British director Ken Loach, accused North America’s premier film festival of “complicity with the Israeli propaganda machine” over its spotlight this year on Tel Aviv, given “the absence of Palestinian filmmakers in the program.”
Egypt
Israel
Japan