Brown University recently announced that its corporate board will consider a proposal to divest from Israeli interests, a significant development in the ongoing national protests concerning the Israel-Hamas conflict. This decision follows intense student activism at Brown, including a week-long encampment at the university’s main campus.
University President Christina Paxson, in a statement, Brown’s commitment to resolving differences through dialogue and debate, though she expressed disapproval of the encampment, citing it as a breach of university policies. Paxson also voiced concerns about the rising tensions and inflammatory rhetoric observed at educational institutions across the country.
“The devastation and loss of life in the Middle East has prompted many to call for meaningful change, while also raising real issues about how best to accomplish this,” Paxson wrote in a statement. “Brown has always prided itself on resolving differences through dialog, debate and listening to each other.”
“I cannot condone the encampment, which was in violation of University policies,” she continued. “Also, I have been concerned about the escalation in inflammatory rhetoric that we have seen recently, and the increase in tensions at campuses across the country. I appreciate the sincere efforts on the part of our students to take steps to prevent further escalation.”
This movement at Brown is part of a larger wave of protests that have emerged on college campuses nationwide. These protests have seen students advocating for their universities to sever financial ties with Israeli entities and lobbying for the U.S. government to halt military aid to Israel and to push for a ceasefire in the conflict, which has led to significant civilian casualties in Gaza.
As part of an agreement to de-escalate the situation, Brown’s protesters have agreed to dismantle their encampment and halt demonstrations for the remainder of the academic year. In return, the university has agreed to allow a group of five student activists to present their case for divestment directly to the university’s board. A vote on this proposal is scheduled for October, and the university has assured that students involved in the protests will not face suspension or expulsion.
The question is…What happens if the school doesn’t divest? Note the time frame…October. That’s one month before you know what.
