Many University of Michigan student activities are funded by the school’s Central Student Government (CSG), which determines how about $1.3 million is distributed among the campus’s 400 groups. However, last spring the pro-Palestinian movement called “Shut It Down” won control of the CSG and is withholding funds for student activities until the university divests from companies doing business with Israel, reports the New York Times.
In last spring’s election where only 20% of the student body voted, the Shut It Down party won 22 of the 45 seats in the university’s student assembly. CSG’s new leaders then called for the university to divest from companies profiting off of Israel’s war in Gaza and military weapons manufacturers. They also condemned the university calling in law enforcement to break up pro-Palestinian encampments on campus. CSG President Alifa Chowdhury then vetoed the assembly’s spring and summer budget. This summer’s effort to override her veto failed by one vote.
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Some of the student groups and activities impacted by the withholding of funding include the men’s Ultimate Frisbee team, ballroom dance team, fitness center classes, airport shuttles, newspaper subscriptions, the school’s gender and sexuality center, Ramadan meals, Students Organize for Syria, Muslim Students Association, and United Students Against Sweatshops.
There is quite a bit of student support for the Shut It Down movement, however, others say the withholding of funds is futile and hurting poor students. Others want the school to enforce its rules.
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University of Michigan officials have said that divestment is off the table, reports the Chronicle of Higher Education. However, they have agreed to temporarily fund the impacted organizations as long as they agree to reimburse the university.
