University of Michigan Student Government Blocks Funding to Protest Investments in Israeli-Linked Companies

The University of Michigan’s student government has vetoed funding for campus organizations to advocate for divestment from Israeli-linked companies.

Alifa Chowdhury, the newly elected president of the Central Student Government (CSG), has used her veto power to suspend funding for student groups this summer and plans to continue this action into the fall.

The decision stems from the “Shut It Down” movement, a coalition of pro-Palestinian student representatives who were elected to the student government earlier this year. The movement demands that the university divest its endowment from companies connected to Israel, particularly in light of the recent Israel-Hamas conflict.

Chowdhury, alongside Vice President Elias Atkinson and other members of the movement, believes that halting funding will pressure university officials to address their demands.

CChowdhury said that the strategy aims to highlight the student government’s role in advocating for issues of significant concern to the student body. She emphasized that the election results demonstrated strong student support for the divestment initiative and criticized the university regents for not heeding these calls.

The student government is responsible for distributing funds to some 1,700 campus organizations. With the veto in place, these organizations face uncertainty regarding their financial support. While administrators are exploring alternative funding solutions through the Center for Campus Involvement, some groups are already experiencing the effects of the funding suspension. For example, the University of Michigan Rugby Club, which relied on substantial funding from the student government, now faces financial strain.

The Shut It Down movement’s demands for divestment have been longstanding. They have become more urgent as the violence in Gaza has escalated. The TAHRIR Coalition, a collective of student organizations advocating for Palestinian rights, has intensified its push for divestment after the deadly conflict that began with the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7. Protests and strategic actions are part of the coalition’s efforts to put more pressure on university officials.

Despite the current funding challenges, Chowdhury remains steadfast in her belief that divestment is a necessary step. She argues that the student government’s actions are a direct response to the university’s inaction and a way to demonstrate the importance of the students’ demands.

The University of Michigan administration, led by President Santa Ono, is working to address the situation and find ways to support affected student groups.

The College Fix and the Detroit News contributed to the report.