The UF graduate students who filmed post-earthquake footage in Haiti will be able to use their video for their master’s thesis documentary.
Jon Bougher and Roman Safiullin reached an agreement with the UF Board of Trustees Wednesday allowing them to use the footage despite the fact that it was shot after the university established a policy banning UF-sponsored travel to Haiti.
UF spokesman Steve Orlando said an investigation showed that UF funds and resources were not used in the students’ travel or work.
The students will include a statement saying the video was not funded, sanctioned or approved by UF, Orlando said.
Safiullin said it was a relief to know the university understands the importance of the footage and the need for its inclusion in the documentary, which describes the philanthropic organization Planting Peace.
But the travel ban remains in effect, and Safiullin said he will continue to speak out about the ban and work with student organizations who are involved in Haiti relief causes.
Bougher said he feels the travel ban is overly restrictive and denies graduate students and faculty the opportunity of doing work in Haiti.
The news that Bougher and Safiullin would be able to use their footage was accompanied by news that their adviser, Churchill Roberts, the co-director of the Documentary Institute, is undergoing an investigation by the Office of Human Resource Services, according to Bougher.
Roberts said he has been questioned about whether he encouraged or helped fund the students’ return trips to Haiti.
Roberts said he was unclear where the students got the money for the trip, and the decision to return was their own.
“My job was to help them produce the very best thesis they could,” Roberts said.
Orlando said he cannot comment about an ongoing Office of Human Resource Services investigation.
