EDUCATION
Muslim protests at UCI target Israeli government
Last week marked the beginning of what is known as the anti-Zionist week at UCI when the Muslim Student Union hosts a number speakers and activities that protest the Israeli government.
The week is notable because UCI has been under scrutiny for several years as some students have alleged the university has not done enough to discourage anti-Semitism.
University officials say they have to abide by the 1st Amendment rights of students. Jewish community leaders have responded to the Muslim Student Union by organizing pro-Israel events.
A deaf and hard of hearing program at Costa Mesa High School got a sort of a reprieve this week when Newport-Mesa Unified School District Supt. Jeffrey Hubbard decided to keep the program for another year.
Originally, the program was to end at the end of this school year after a large group of students enrolled in the program were going to go back to their home school district in Santa Ana. Newport-Mesa officials, in turn, decided at that time to teach the kids from their on an individual basis, but would no longer serve students not living within district boundaries.
Hubbard’s decision allows those non-district children to stay within the program, with the exception of the Santa Ana students, for the next school year.
District spokeswoman Laura Boss said decisions about the program after next school year are ongoing.
Parents whose children were part of the program feared its end because of its unique education. It is an auditory oral program, meaning the children are taught to speak orally, not using sign language or lip reading, so they may better assimilate with classmates who are not deaf or hard of hearing.
NEWPORT BEACH
UCI dispatcher faces no charges for alleged posting
Two men, including a UCI police dispatcher, who allegedly took photographs of area high school water polo players that were posted on gay sex websites, will not face criminal charges, Orange County prosecutors said.
Although prosecutors found the photographers did not break any laws, the athletes and their parents may still file a civil suit.
Scott Cornelius, 44, a UCI police department employee, remains on paid administrative leave as the university’s investigation continues.
A Newport-Irvine Rotary Club member has been stranded in Bangkok, Thailand, for several days this week en route to Myanmar as the Southeast Asian country reels from a devastating cyclone.
