Brown University has turned down a proposal to divest from ten companies accused by activists of contributing to the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.
On Tuesday, the Corporation of Brown made its decision following the recommendations of a committee that argued against the divestment. One of the key reasons for the denial was that the university has minimal investments in these companies, which include major firms like Airbus, Boeing, General Dynamics, and General Electric. The committee noted that any indirect investments, amounting to about 1% of the endowment, would not lead to significant social harm.
In a joint statement, University Chancellor Brian Moynihan and President Christina Paxson emphasized that divesting would create an environment where certain viewpoints are considered ‘approved’ and compel members of the university community to conform, thus contradicting the principles of academic freedom and inquiry. They stressed that such a move would be detrimental to the university’s mission of serving a diverse global community.
Last spring, Brown had promised to hold a vote in October on the divestment proposal after an advisory committee provided insights on the matter. This commitment came after student protesters agreed to dismantle their on-campus encampment in exchange for the guarantee of a vote.
Leading up to the decision, Niyanta Nepal, the student body president who was elected on a pro-divestment platform, and other supporters focused their efforts on advocating for a favorable vote. They organized events to engage fellow students and encouraged newcomers to energize their movement.
The outcome of the vote has left the students, particularly those in the Brown Divest Coalition, reflecting on their next steps. They expressed strong disappointment, claiming that the decision represents a significant ethical lapse for the university and an affront to its democratic values. Their statement highlighted an estimated $66 million investment in companies they argue contribute to serious issues in Israel and condemned the refusal to withdraw from these investments.
Conversely, Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, praised the university’s decision. He characterized the movement for divestment as part of a broader initiative known as Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS), which targets American companies conducting business with Israel. In a post on X, he called the choice a commendable stand against what he termed “BDS bullies,” asserting that research indicates BDS efforts could significantly diminish university endowments and create a hostile atmosphere for Jewish students on campuses.
Universities have historically resisted calls to divest from companies associated with Israel, with critics arguing that such actions can verge on antisemitism. Brown University has recently faced criticism simply for entertaining the proposal, with backlash emanating from a group of two dozen Republican state attorneys general who sent a strongly worded letter addressing the matter.
