Palestinian native and professor Sami Al-Arian appeared on the show's Sept. 26 broadcast to discuss the relationship between the university and the World and Islam Studies Enterprise, which he directed six years ago.

University President Judy Genshaft announced her decision to place Al-Arian on leave in a written report to trustees.

"I want to make it clear that Dr. Al-Arian does not speak for the University on these issues, and it is incorrect to suggest his views represent USF in any fashion," she wrote. "His views are his own. We have informed him that when he expresses his views, he should make it clear at all times that he is speaking as a private person."

O'Reilly introduced Al-Arian on the show as "an associate professor of computer engineering at the University of South Florida."

During the interview Al-Arian and O'Reilly discussed the university and Al-Arian's connection to suspected terrorist Ramadan Abdullah Shallah. O'Reilly said Shallah taught classes at the University of South Florida and Al-Arian is responsible for bringing Shallah to the United States.

O'Reilly also probed Al-Arian on his connection to two other men discovered to have ties to the recent attacks and possible connections to Osama bin Laden.

Al-Arian received "many death threats and numerous hate-filled e-mails" after his interview with O'Reilly, according to a statement he issued. Due to these threats, campus police, the president and others determined that having Al-Arian on campus posed a safety concern.