The Cornell Daily Sun has a fantastic series on the prosecution of Momodou Taal, written by Cornell faculty (Paul Fleming, Tracy McNulty, and Mostafa Minawi) who have advised and observed the process first hand.
It is a chilling but essential read.
Part 1: “On Monday, Sept. 23 Momodou Taal, a graduate student and worker in Africana Studies, was notified by the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards that he had been temporarily suspended from Cornell following alleged participation in a student protest that took place at a Sept. 18 career fair in the Statler Hotel…”
Part 2: “On March 29, Taal was called to a meeting by the OSCCS and was accompanied by a union representative, with Prof. McNulty serving as faculty support person. There he was presented with a complaint dated March 7 for alleged use of “amplified sound via a megaphone” in a protest at Duffield Hall that took place on Feb. 22 …. The OSCCS representative indicated that the complaint was based on a CUPD referral, but neither the referral nor any supporting evidence were presented.”
Part 3: On April 26 Taal received a message from Christina Liang, Director of the OSCCS, informing him that he was temporarily suspended, effectively immediately, for involvement on April 25 in an unauthorized encampment (the “Liberated Zone” encampment that was established on the Arts Quad on that day). Her letter noted that “the Interim Expressive Activities Policy, Section F, Outdoor Camping specifically provides that ‘[o]utdoor camping requires prior registration’. Notably, neither “amplified sound via a megaphone” (first complaint) nor “unauthorized camping” is a violation of the Student Code of Conduct. Instead the OSCCS charged and suspended Taal by applying a decree — the IEAP that the Cornell administration handed down on Jan. 24, 2024 without engaging in consultation with the Faculty Senate, University Assembly or other university governance bodies..”
Part 4: “On the morning of Sept. 23, Taal received a summons to a disciplinary meeting scheduled for noon that day… At that meeting Taal was presented with the formal complaint outlining three allegations relating to the Sept. 18 protest at Statler Hotel and the Carrier Ballroom… The written, formal complaint concluded by informing Taal that he was “temporarily suspended, effective immediately” and “withdrawn from all University privileges and services,” both of which remain “in effect until you receive further notice” from Cornell. Taal has acknowledged that he spoke at a protest outside the Statler Hotel which took place before the events described. However, Taal disputes most of the alleged conduct in the complaint. Importantly, the complaint does not even claim that Taal himself used force to gain entry into the building, that he acted in a violent or threatening way, or that he pushed police officers aside. The allegation that he entered “immediately behind” individuals who are alleged to have done so is vague and does not seem to be supported by video footage that has been widely circulated by media outlets. In any case, Taal has had no opportunity to see evidence supporting the allegations against him, much less the opportunity to present counter evidence or call witnesses who might corroborate his claims.”
Authored by:
Paul Fleming is a professor of Comparative Literature and German Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. He served as Momodou Taal’s faculty advisor for his third complaint. He can be reached at paul.fleming@cornell.edu
Tracy McNulty is a professor of Comparative Literature and Romance Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences. She served as Momodou Taal’s faculty advisor for his first complaint. She can be reached at tkm9@cornell.edu
Mostafa Minawi is a professor of History in the College of Arts and Sciences. He served as Momodou Taal’s faculty advisor for his second complaint.. He can be reached at mm2492@cornell.edu
Cornell Chapter of the AAUP 