Final Outcome of the Know Your Rights Investigation

We understand that questions still linger regarding the “Know Your Rights Fair” that took place on campus in February 2017.  In July 2017, the University concluded a careful, fair and thorough investigation into a complaint by one of its recognized student groups, San Francisco Hillel, alleging that it was improperly excluded from the “Know Your Rights Fair.” The fair was planned and hosted by a self-selected group of students, staff and faculty. The investigation was conducted in accordance with CSU Executive Orders 1096 and 1097, which are our system-wide policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. Facts uncovered in the case also implicated University Executive Directive 89-13, the campus’s policy governing the time, place, and manner of on-campus events.

Under CSU policy, both complainants and respondents had the right to appeal the EO 1096/1097 findings to the CSU Chancellor’s Office. In April 2018, all appeals were exhausted and the CSU Chancellor’s Office closed the investigation. Any findings of responsibility were then referred to the following offices for consideration of appropriate sanctions: the Office of Student Conduct for student respondents and the Office of Human Resources for faculty/staff respondents. The University may not comment further on student conduct matters due to the confidentiality requirements of federal privacy law; University personnel matters are also confidential.  The events surrounding this Fair and the investigation served as an opportunity for the University to review and make improvements to its practices, procedures and policies.

San Francisco State University strongly condemns all forms of discrimination and exclusion, and we are actively committed to providing a safe and inclusive campus environment for all members of our community.  The exclusion of San Francisco Hillel from the “Know Your Rights Fair” was unacceptable and inconsistent with the values of open, wide-ranging debate and critical dialogue that ought to be core aspects of higher education. For more information, please visit http://vpsaem.sfsu.edu/campus_climate.