By Kate Andrews
University of Virginia graduate student Rich Felker, who was found guilty by student judges of disrupting a Chinese ambassador’s speech, must not create any more disturbances at UVa if he wishes to avoid further trouble.
During an open trial late Thursday night, the University Judiciary Committee sentenced Felker, 22, to a suspension in abeyance – a sanction that bars a student from attending classes for a defined period if a second violation occurs.
A member of Students for a Free Tibet, Felker criticized the sentence and the university’s actions following his April protest, during which he attempted to chain himself to a banister as Yang Jiechie spoke in the Rotunda.
Police officers and a member of the ambassador’s security detail wrestled a padlock away from Felker, who began to yell and struggle as he was taken downstairs.
“All along, as this case has played out, I’ve been given the impression … that the university’s motivation was not to punish a violation of the rules but to quiet potentially embarrassing political protests against their honored guests,” Felker said Friday.
He added that the suspension in abeyance in effect prevents him from participating in some types of protest, although he said taking part in rallies would likely be permitted.
Angela Carrico, head of the UJC and a member of the five-person panel that judged the case, said the sentence was meant to deter Felker from disrupting further events.
Felker also must complete 20 hours of community service with UVa’s recycling department by the end of the year.
“We try to come up with sanctions that are educational rather than punitive,” Carrico said. Felker’s political motives were taken into account and added to the length of the nearly five-hour trial, she added.
Felker also accused UVa police Detective Sandy Hufford of making “gross exaggerations” in her testimony, which detailed how the student had kicked and screamed when confronted by authorities.
The detective said Thursday that she feared Felker would start a riot if he were not brought under control and that a backpack she believed was his might have contained a dangerous material. Neither estimation proved true.
“I feel her testimony painted a very inaccurate picture of the scene,” Felker said.
Hufford and UVa police Capt. Michael Coleman declined to comment.
Felker’s conviction for disrupting a university event and failing to comply with UVa officials’ requests will appear on his disciplinary record but not his academic record, Carrico said. Criminal charges of attempting to incite a riot and disorderly conduct were dropped earlier this year.
