Spring Break
Darwish allowed back on campus after hearing
by Jillian Wagner
News Editor
News | 4/29/08
Posted online at 3:59 AM EST on 4/29/08
/ Last updated at 6:03 AM EST on 4/29/08
Laura Cohen '09, director of the Student Union's Office of Student Conduct Advisors and one of Darwish's advisors throughout this process, told the Justice April 14 that Darwish was found not responsible during an appeal hearing for the assault charges.
According to an e-mail sent on April 17 to the Justice by Cohen, Darwish had a sanction hearing for the fistfight case on April 16, during which "[the] Board of Appeals reheard all witnesses and all were cross examined."
"I believe the Board made a fair and balanced decision. [Darwish's] right to due process and procedural fairness were upheld during [the April 16] hearing," Cohen said.
In an e-mail to the Justice written April 17, Prof. Gordon Fellman (SOC), who has served as Darwish's advisor, described the April 16 hearing as "a fair, respectful, decent hearing."
Sanctions recommended during the appeal have since been approved and Darwish has moved back onto campus.
According to the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, "Upon completion of the appeal hearing, the Appeals Board may uphold the original decision and sanction imposed, find the student not responsible, or increase or decrease the sanction. Any sanctions shall not take effect until approved or modified by the Dean of Student Life or the Director of
Student Development and Conduct."
According to Cohen, the sanctions recommended in the hearing were disciplinary and residential probation, which will be in effect until December 2008.
The Rights and Responsibilities Handbook says, "The status of residence probation reminds the student that his/her infraction has become part of their record and that repetition of similar or other unacceptable behavior may be cause for removal from the residence halls."
The handbook also says, "A student who is placed on disciplinary probation is permitted to remain enrolled at the University, often under certain stated conditions depending upon the nature of the violation and potential learning value that may be derived from such conditions. The student is subject to further disciplinary actions, including suspension or dismissal, if they violates [sic] the terms of the probation or in any way fails to conduct themselves as a responsible member of the University community."
According to an e-mail sent on April 17 to the Justice by Cohen, Darwish had a sanction hearing for the fistfight case on April 16, during which "[the] Board of Appeals reheard all witnesses and all were cross examined."
"I believe the Board made a fair and balanced decision. [Darwish's] right to due process and procedural fairness were upheld during [the April 16] hearing," Cohen said.
In an e-mail to the Justice written April 17, Prof. Gordon Fellman (SOC), who has served as Darwish's advisor, described the April 16 hearing as "a fair, respectful, decent hearing."
Sanctions recommended during the appeal have since been approved and Darwish has moved back onto campus.
According to the Rights and Responsibilities Handbook, "Upon completion of the appeal hearing, the Appeals Board may uphold the original decision and sanction imposed, find the student not responsible, or increase or decrease the sanction. Any sanctions shall not take effect until approved or modified by the Dean of Student Life or the Director of
Student Development and Conduct."
According to Cohen, the sanctions recommended in the hearing were disciplinary and residential probation, which will be in effect until December 2008.
The Rights and Responsibilities Handbook says, "The status of residence probation reminds the student that his/her infraction has become part of their record and that repetition of similar or other unacceptable behavior may be cause for removal from the residence halls."
The handbook also says, "A student who is placed on disciplinary probation is permitted to remain enrolled at the University, often under certain stated conditions depending upon the nature of the violation and potential learning value that may be derived from such conditions. The student is subject to further disciplinary actions, including suspension or dismissal, if they violates [sic] the terms of the probation or in any way fails to conduct themselves as a responsible member of the University community."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 20
Outraged parent
posted 4/29/08 @ 3:07 PM EST
I?ve sat silent in incredulous amazement and ever increasing anger and outrage reading about the Darwish affair as it has been spun into a cause c?l?bre for ?due process? and ?student rights? in the Brandeis print media. (Continued…)
Andrea G.
posted 5/03/08 @ 12:20 AM EST
This is ridiculous that Brandeis chose to let Darwish remain at the school. It is obvious that he does not care about the money being poured into his education or respect the social dignities that women deserve. (Continued…)
Gideon Klionsky
posted 5/06/08 @ 1:30 AM EST
How long has this story been going on and we finally hear a voice from the side that was attacked? Thus far it's been Mamoon and Walaa's word against the police's word. (Continued…)
Gideon Klionsky
Gideon Klionsky
posted 5/06/08 @ 3:39 PM EST
[I'm flattered that someone would pose as me. Fortunately it seems the Justice editors have removed the comment posted under my name at 1:06 PM 5/6/08. (Continued…)
Emmitt
posted 5/06/08 @ 9:25 PM EST
Fisticuffs don't happen very often at Brandeis, and when they do and get this much publicity, this is the just punishment for someone with a "history" of violence and social disruption at the school. (Continued…)
parent of the second student assaulted
posted 5/06/08 @ 10:15 PM EST
Another Outraged Parent
As the parent of the other student assaulted by Darwish, I too have had to contain my anger as the Brandeis student community reacted to Darwish's suspension. (Continued…)
Gideon Klionsky
posted 5/06/08 @ 11:03 PM EST
Excellent! We now have accounts from parents of both of the victims in this case. Unfortunately, I don't think very many people read the online comments of the Justice. (Continued…)
El Rubio Indolente
posted 5/06/08 @ 11:56 PM EST
So that's it, huh? We have two anonymous accusers who refuse to offer any verification of who they are or the truth of their statements being praised as a 'positive developement' in what seems more and more like a concerted effort to bring down Mr. (Continued…)
Gideon Klionsky
posted 5/07/08 @ 12:06 AM EST
Choice of fora is essentially random. Darwish posted a letter to the community on facebook rather than responding to the plea within 48 hours.
Also, it's quite common for victims to remain silent for a period following the abuse as they sort through their options and cope with the pain. (Continued…)
El Rubio Indolente
posted 5/07/08 @ 11:54 AM EST
Oh Gideon, your failures of logic are only matched by your failures of Spanish.
How do you all explain that every person who has actually come forward took the side of Sbeit and Darwish, whom you obviously despise? Did they steal your lunch money or something? It's not a secret that the campaign against Darwish was led by a group of Arab-haters and dishonest pigs constantly squealing persecution. (Continued…)
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