Two McMaster student groups, McMaster Hillel and Solidarity for Palestinian Human Rights (SPHR) presented their views to the university’s Board of Governors at its October 24th meeting.
“The groups have differing views, but members of our community have been deeply impacted by what has been happening in the Middle East and it was important that these groups had the opportunity to speak directly to the Board,” said Board Chair Jane Allen. “The presentations provided the Board with diverse perspectives, and generated a good deal of discussion.”
The presentations at the Board were one way that McMaster is providing opportunities to have discussions on the complicated geopolitical issues the world is facing. The presentations were wide-reaching and captured the effects that world events have had on members of our campus community. SPHR presented its case for divestment of the university’s investments that are on the BDS divestment list along with weapons manufacturers and defence contractors. McMaster Hillel made arguments for why the university should not support any BDS demands believing they are antithetical to academic freedom and to nurturing an inclusive campus environment.
Allen said, “The university is a community of thousands of individuals and each has their own story and views on these important issues. As President Farrar has reinforced, we must make sure that everyone at McMaster feels that they can safely take a position without fear of intimidation. The university will also continue to work with student groups and others to promote debate and discussions that are respectful and peaceful as the ones that took place at the Board.”
The university had earlier made a commitment to develop a process for McMaster community members to provide input regarding responsible investing of the university’s investment portfolio. The process is now in place and available on the Financial Affairs website.
A new annual listing of McMaster’s financial investments is also now available.
The university had also committed at the conclusion of last spring’s encampment that it would review its Social Responsibility and Investment Policy. That process is now being considered.