The University of Minnesota agreed late Wednesday night to consider student protesters’ demands calling for the university to divest from Israel.
Student organizers said that in light of the development, they plan to take down their encampment on the campus’ Northrup Mall by noon Thursday. A coalition of student groups set up camp for nearly 10 days. University police arrested nine people last week after they refused to leave an earlier iteration of the encampment.
Minnesota cops about to sue for depriving them of the ability to beat up 18 year old college kids.
This is great news! It’s been heartening reading about the universities that are actually listening to their students
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Here are the actual details of the agreement, copied from the article, if you care:
University of Minnesota student organizers made six demands of their administration. Here is a summary of their demands and the university’s response:
Divestment: The university has not yet agreed to fully divesting from companies profiting off war in Israel, but student protesters will get the chance to present divestment and other advocacy priorities to the Board of Regents on May 10.
Banning companies from academic involvement: Protesters proposed banning companies such as Lockheed Martin, Honeywell, General Dynamics, and other aerospace and weapons manufacturers from campus.
The university does not support restricting career opportunities for students, but is willing to discuss how to advocate directly to students via career services. It is unclear what that will look like based on the university’s statement.
Boycott Israeli institutions: Protesters demanded a divestment from Israeli universities they say are “aiding the ongoing genocide in Gaza.” The university plans to evaluate partnerships with the universities, which includes a program for “hosting scholars at risk,” the university’s statement said.
The university added that it plans to discuss creating connections with one or more Palestinian universities.
Disclose university financials: Protesters asked for transparency about university financials as part of calls for divestment. The university will disclose as much information as possible about its holdings in public companies by May 7, discluding investments protected by non-disclosure agreements or legal constraints.
Recognize Thawabit: This is best characterized as the fundamental rights of the Palestinian people. Student protesters asked the university to release a statement in support of Palestinian students that also recognizes “the inviolable national rights of the Palestinian people,” divestment organizers said in an Instagram post.
The university’s statement does not clarify its position on this demand, but said the administration hopes to better support the Palestinian student body. The statement also said that the administration encourages students and staff to file complaints about discrimination with the Equal Opportunity and Title IX office.
Amnesty: Protesters demanded amnesty for all students, staff, and faculty participating in the encampment, including for the nine arrested by UMPD. The university recommended that university police not arrest or charge protesters in the last few days. The university will also not take disciplinary action against students or employees who participated in the encampment this week.
So far, that’s still kinda weak as a result. I hope the students get the divestment they hope for.
