Why I No Longer Feel Comfortable Participating In UConn Graduate Student Government As A Jewish Woman

The Graduate Student Senate (GSS) at the University of Connecticut has regrettably become an unwelcoming environment for Jewish students, as evidenced by a series of concerning incidents and practices. GSS has transformed into an environment that is increasingly hostile and unwelcoming towards Jewish students. My own sense of safety and respect within the GSS has been significantly compromised. This troubling change is not based on unfounded claims; it is supported by a wealth of documented evidence. My experiences of marginalization within the Graduate Student Senate (GSS) at the University of Connecticut are not isolated. They are well-documented through emails, public records, and other official communications. Available upon request for review by any interested party, these records clearly show a pattern of behavior within the GSS that systematically excludes and alienates Jewish students. This troubling pattern not only impedes our full and safe participation but also starkly contradicts the GSS's commitment to inclusivity, diversity, respect, and equity, underscoring the urgent need for significant changes within the Senate. The obstruction to my participation in the Graduate Student Senate escalated significantly during Usman Ali's tenure as a senator. Initially, Ali dismissed my request to address the Senate on key issues such as gender bias within the GSS, the decline in attendance and quality of GSS-funded activities coupled with a proposed increase in the student activity fee, and concerns over the problematic nature of the Fall Formal's budget, advertisement, and planning. However, during a Senate meeting, he actively escalated his obstructive behavior. In a move that bordered on the absurd, Ali initiated a debate to impede a motion, already seconded, which would have permitted me to speak at the start of the meeting. The situation reached an absurd climax when another senator had to propose a new motion just to vote on proceeding with the already seconded motion. This redundant voting process, uniquely applied to my case, was not only procedurally inefficient but also represented a form of belligerent, blatant, and targeted harassment, distinguishing my experience from that of any other graduate student. Further exacerbating this hostile environment, during the December 6 Senate meeting, the Parliamentarian, Khaled Axel Djebbari, publicly refused to respond to my emails from November 17 to December 6, citing Shabbat as his reason. This statement, particularly offensive and inappropriate given its audience and public nature, showed a profound disrespect for Jewish practices and my identity as a Jewish woman. When I challenged this unacceptable response, highlighting the true significance of Shabbat in my community, the Parliamentarian dismissively suggested I seek student wellness services instead of acknowledging his misstep and rectifying the situation. Adding insult to injury, administrators who were directly cc'ed in these emails chose to dismiss this critical discussion as unnecessary, yet paradoxically intervened on Djebbari's behalf in other instances where he displayed objectively offensive, unprofessional, and belligerent behavior. However, the most glaring and overtly discriminatory incident I experienced was the outright dismissal of my vote to second a crucial motion, despite my presence as an alternate senator with full voting privileges. It's critical to understand the gravity of this situation: my vote was blatantly disregarded and not counted. This disregard was compounded when the Parliamentarian, in a clear display of unprofessionalism, directed a verbal tirade towards Senator Lassy, who had proposed the motion. The Parliamentarian's insinuations suggested that Senator Lassy's motion was motivated by racial prejudices. Intriguingly, and perhaps not coincidentally, Senator Lassy also shares Jewish heritage. This incident not only highlights a deeply concerning level of bias within the GSS but also raises serious questions about the integrity of the voting process and the respect accorded to senators, especially those of Jewish background. The conduct of the Parliamentarian in the Graduate Student Senate at the University of Connecticut has descended into a state of blatant unprofessionalism and discriminatory double standards. Despite utilizing two email addresses - both his official Parliamentarian and personal student email - for GSS business and listing them as legitimate points of contact on the GSS website, he has inappropriately escalated matters to administrators to reprimand me for simply cc'ing these emails for GSS related matters. This action is not just contradictory but absurd, especially since he continues to actively use both emails for official communication. This hypocrisy is starkly highlighted in his response to another senator's inquiry addressed to the Parliamentarian’s GSS account by using his student email - the very same email he deemed inappropriate when I used it, baselessly accusing me of harassment and going as far to involve administrators in hopes that I would be reprimanded for harassment. Such selective enforcement of communication rules, depending on who is reaching out, is not only grossly unprofessional but also suggests a discriminatory bias against certain members of the Senate. The Parliamentarian's actions exhibit a worrying pattern of inconsistency, favoritism, and an alarming willingness to misuse administrative resources to target specific individuals. This behavior is unbecoming of someone in his position and raises serious concerns about his impartiality and ability to uphold the standards of fairness and professionalism expected in his role. Additionally, the actions of Khaled Axel Djebbari, the Parliamentarian, have directly impacted my ability to contribute to the Graduate Student Senate. Djebbari has explicitly blocked my participation in the procedures committee, directly citing personal dislike as the reason. This exclusion is not only personal and unprofessional but also seems to be a blatant contravention of our institution's bylaws and constitution. The bylaws are designed to ensure fair and equitable treatment of all members, and personal biases should not influence committee appointments. This is particularly concerning given the existing vacancies on the committee, which imply a need for more members, yet my attempts to contribute are being unfairly hindered. This issue of exclusion and apparent discrimination is not limited to the procedures committee. The refusal of the Treasurer, Gopi Yalavarthi, to include a Jewish woman on the finance committee without any justifiable reason based on the GSS constitution, bylaws, or financial policies and procedures, is indicative of deeply ingrained anti-Semitic stereotypes. This situation is compounded by the fact that the finance committee itself was not elected in accordance with the requirements set forth in the GSS governing documents. Furthermore, when the issue was brought to the attention of the administrator responsible for ensuring adherence to financial policies and procedures, there was a refusal to address the concern. Instead, I was redirected back to the Treasurer, who was already disregarding the governing documents. This cycle of non-responsiveness and lack of accountability not only reflects individual unfairness but also perpetuates harmful historical prejudices, highlighting a systemic issue within the Senate. This situation underscores the pressing need for vigilance against biases and a commitment to upholding the integrity of the Senate's governance structures. The lack of accommodation for Jewish students at the University of Connecticut is a significant concern, particularly in the actions of the Activities Director Essam Boraey. Despite multiple requests and clear communication of the needs of Jewish students, there has been a consistent failure to provide kosher food options at university events. This oversight is especially glaring at events where specific dietary accommodations, such as halal food, are readily available for other student groups. This disparity in treatment not only overlooks the dietary needs of Jewish students but also sends a message of exclusion and lack of consideration. Moreover, the scheduling of major events, such as the Fall formal, further exemplifies this issue. The formal was announced with merely three days' notice before the third night of Hanukkah, a significant and widely observed Jewish holiday. The event was also scheduled during Shabbat, the Jewish day of rest, which spans from Friday evening to Saturday evening each week. This timing made it practically impossible for observant Jewish students to attend, as they would be preparing for and observing Hanukkah and Shabbat. Such scheduling shows a profound lack of sensitivity to the religious practices and cultural observances of Jewish students, effectively excluding them from participating in a key university event. The unfolding events within the Graduate Student Senate at the University of Connecticut culminate in a deeply unsettling revelation of systemic bias and exclusion, starkly deviating from the principles of fairness and respect that should be the bedrock of any academic institution. It has become painfully clear to me that, in this environment, Jewish women are not only unwelcome but are actively marginalized. This realization has compelled me to step away from an organization where my presence, contributions, and identity are not valued or respected. However, I leave with a resolute hope that my departure and these words will catalyze change within the Senate. It is imperative that the Senators recognize and address this unacceptable standard that has been allowed to persist. In the spirit of my Jewish grandmother, who at the age of nine fled formerly Yugoslavia and current Bosnia to escape genocidal threats during the holocaust, " We may go, but not quietly. Those that seek our silence will only meet our children's revolt."