The Council on American-Islamic Relations has denounced University of Central Florida professor Jonathan Matusitz for what it calls his anti-Muslim bigotry.
Matusitz realized a member of that group, Samantha Bowden, was randomly attending his communications class Oct. 1.
“Her demeanor was not threatening. It was not aggressive but that’s not the point. The point is she had no legal right to sit in my class,” Matusitz said.
The professor asked Bowden to leave because he considered her to be spying on his teachings.
He called UCF police to file a complaint.
“She never asked me to sit in my class. You call that intrusion,” Matusitz said.
In an email to Eyewitness News, Bowden said: “I did not interfere with their assignment and I complied with his request. He asked me to leave because he was doing an exam review and wasn’t lecturing. I said OK.”
Students have mixed feelings about the incident.
“If you’re coming like, to speak your mind, I say more power to you,” UCF student Sara Lane said.
“I would definitely be very upset about that,” UCF student Amanda Cramer said.
The professor said he’ll take strong measures if this happens again.
“If she comes back to my class without my authorization I will call the police,” Matusitz said.
A UCF spokesman said only students are allowed in instructional areas.
That is, unless a professor gives permission.