U.S. News
University Rebukes Student Government Over Israel Boycott Resolution
Clear Facts
- The University of Wisconsin-Madison denounced a student government resolution demanding a boycott of Israel.
- University attorneys warned student leaders that state law prohibits public universities from adopting anti-Israel boycott policies.
- The administration said the resolution ignored legal guidance and undermined shared governance.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison (UW) issued a sharp rebuke after student government representatives passed a resolution targeting Israel. The university said the leaders pushed forward with demands that ignored legal counsel and state regulations.
University officials expressed disappointment that the student council chose to ignore the clear illegality of the proposal. The administration noted that student input is valuable only when it works within the framework of the law and builds consensus.
“While we recognize the variety of viewpoints in our community about investment policy and disclosure, resolutions that call for actions that would violate the law do not warrant further engagement.”
UW attorneys met with student leaders before the vote to explain that state law forbids public universities from engaging in boycotts of Israel. Despite this direct warning, the student council moved forward with the resolution claiming the university was funding human rights abuses.
The university also accused the student government of attempting to restrict the number of Jewish and pro-Israel students allowed to speak at the meeting. Reports indicate that an online chat involving student government members allegedly used antisemitic slurs to describe these students.
“Despite the fact that ASM leadership was counseled by university attorneys on the clear illegality of that specific part of the resolution, ASM Student Council nonetheless voted to pass it,” the university wrote.
The administration maintains that policies violating state anti-discrimination laws will not be considered. Officials emphasized that the move by the student council undermines the integrity of shared governance by pursuing flawed and unlawful objectives.
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