UW–Madison student council approves resolution urging divestment from Israel-linked companies; university calls demands illegal and disappointing
The Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Student Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling for the University of Wisconsin System to divest from companies it described as, “complicit in apartheid and genocide, including Israel’s actions in Gaza.” The resolution, introduced by five student council representatives and backed by Students for Justice in Palestine, also sought divestment from investments in certain American companies. It called for the creation of an advisory committee to monitor UW investments for compliance with state anti-discrimination law and socially responsible principles. It urged formal advocacy to the Board of Regents.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison released a statement the same day expressing disappointment in the vote. “UW–Madison is disappointed that the Associated Students of Madison (ASM) Student Council passed a resolution on Wednesday that issued a number of flawed, unrelated and illegal demands,” the unsigned statement said. The university noted that Wisconsin state law prohibits state agencies from adopting policies that would involve a boycott of Israel. University attorneys had previously counseled ASM leadership that the divestment provisions violated the law, the statement said.
ASM is the student arm of campus shared governance. Its resolutions do not set university policy or bind the Board of Regents, but added that “resolutions that call for actions that would violate the law do not warrant further engagement.” The statement also said the university is reviewing reports that an online chat involving some ASM representatives used an antisemitic term while discussing speakers at an earlier meeting.
The resolution passed after debate at the March 18 student council meeting 15-5-3.
