Podcast Summary
Universities cancel commencements due to student protests over Israel divestment: Students push for universities to disclose investments, divest from companies linked to Israel-Hamas conflict or Israeli gov't, but endowment transparency is lacking, sparking larger debate on academic freedom and activism.
Columbia University and other universities are canceling their main commencement ceremonies due to student protests demanding divestment from Israel. Students want universities to disclose their endowment investments and divest from companies profiting from the Israel-Hamas conflict or providing services to the Israeli government. The endowment investments are not transparent, making it unclear which companies are being targeted. The push for divestment is part of a larger movement to hold institutions accountable for their financial connections to global conflicts and human rights issues. This issue is not unique to Columbia, as similar protests have occurred at other universities. The debate raises questions about the role of universities in political and social issues, and the balance between academic freedom and activism.
Universities face pressure to divest from Israeli companies: Students are urging universities to cut ties with Israeli companies due to their involvement in human rights violations, but implementation is complex due to legal and financial challenges.
The ongoing student protest at universities, including the encampment at the University of X, aims to pressure institutions to divest from companies complicit in Israel's actions deemed as genocide or involved in business with the Israeli government. Companies like Boeing, Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Google, and Amazon are among those being targeted due to their ties to the Israeli military and government. The ultimate goal is a complete boycott of such institutions. Disclosure of investments is the first step, but indirect investments may require further investigation. Divestment from Israel is a long-standing movement, dating back to the early 2000s, and the argument is that Israel's treatment of Palestinians constitutes apartheid. Critics argue that singling out Israel for condemnation is anti-Semitic. Additionally, laws in over 30 states limit or prevent institutions from divesting from Israel or doing business with those that do. This makes the implementation of divestment a legally and financially complex issue for universities.
Student protests against university investments in Israeli-Palestinian conflict companies: Success of protests varies, from arrests and hunger strikes leading to divestment votes, to administrative agreements pausing connections, to campus encampments met with university policy enforcement
Student protests against universities investing in companies profiting from the Israeli-Palestinian conflict have had varying degrees of success. At Brown University, students were arrested multiple times and went on a hunger strike, eventually leading to a commitment from the university to vote on divestment in the fall. However, at Portland State University, the administration only agreed to pause connections with a company that has taken donations from them, resulting in a loss of scholarship money for some students. Michigan State University's president engaged with students at their encampment, but also informed them that it violated university policies and helped them navigate the permit process to keep it up. While some universities have shown more willingness to engage with students and consider their demands, others have taken a more firm stance against divestment. Ultimately, the success of these protests depends on how one defines success and the specific tactics used by the students.
Colleges face challenges in divesting endowments and protesters declare victory: Colleges struggle to divest from certain causes, but protesters can achieve their goals by declaring victory and leaving. Selling unique or niche products is easier than expected with platforms like Shopify, and protecting personal info online is crucial with services like DeleteMe.
Colleges face challenges in divesting their endowments from certain causes, such as Israel, but protesters can still achieve their goals through declaration of victory and packing up their encampment. Meanwhile, selling unique or niche products can be easier than expected with the help of platforms like Shopify. Additionally, protecting personal information online is crucial and can be achieved with the assistance of services like DeleteMe. Josh Moody from Inside Higher Ed discussed how colleges have faced difficulties in divesting their endowments from Israel, but protesters were able to declare victory and leave the scene, marking an end to the situation. Quince, a company offering timeless essentials at affordable prices, was introduced as an example of something that can be easily sold, even if it may seem unconventional. Shopify, a global commerce platform, was highlighted as a tool to help businesses sell a wide range of products, from common items to niche ones. DeleteMe, a service that helps individuals remove their personal information from the internet, was introduced as a solution for maintaining privacy in the digital age. Claire White, an associate at Vox, shared her experience with DeleteMe and the surprising amount of personal information that was discovered about her online.
Universities using endowments to advocate for values and change: Universities are using their endowments to promote values and bring about change, such as divesting from fossil fuels and advocating for policy and governance changes within companies.
Universities, with their large endowment funds, have the power to influence societal issues beyond just maximizing investment returns. Financiers, who have become wealthy through managing private equity and hedge funds, have significantly impacted higher education and the economy at large. Universities, like the University of California, have started to use their endowments to invest according to values and principles, such as environmental sustainability and social governance. This can be achieved through divestment or by using the position as a shareholder to push for policy or governance changes within companies. For instance, the University of California divested from fossil fuels and became the first university in the country to go entirely fossil fuel-free. These actions demonstrate that investments can be used as a tool to advocate for values and bring about change.
University Divestment: A History of Student Activism and Societal Pressure for Change: University divestment from controversial industries, such as apartheid South Africa and fossil fuels and private prisons, can lead to societal change and financial growth for universities, despite potential financial consequences.
University divestment from controversial industries, such as apartheid South Africa in the 1980s and more recently from fossil fuels and private prisons, has been a topic of debate for decades. While the financial impact on universities after divestment varies, some argue that endowments have grown significantly while student demographics have remained stagnant. The South Africa divestment campaign in the 1980s, which saw over 100 colleges divest, is often cited as a successful precedent. Its impact extended beyond the universities, sparking wider societal debate and potentially contributing to the transition to a democratic government in South Africa. Today, as universities consider divesting from companies involved in the Israeli-Gaza conflict, the debate continues, with some arguing for ethical investing and others cautioning against potential financial consequences. Regardless, the history of university divestment campaigns shows that student activism and societal pressure can lead to change.
Universities under pressure to align endowment investments with values: Universities should focus on affirmatively investing in values-aligned assets and manage contentious issues carefully to maintain mission and values while effectively managing endowments
Universities are facing increasing pressure from students and communities to align their endowment investments with their values, particularly in relation to contentious global issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. This pressure stems from strong social attachments and recent traumas, and universities must navigate these issues carefully as their endowments connect them to increasingly interconnected global economies. While there may be disagreements and controversies surrounding specific investments, universities should also focus on affirmatively investing in things that align with their values to help manage these contentious issues. This approach can help universities maintain their mission and values while also effectively managing their endowments.
