The College Fix

Referendum has ‘no bearing on the operations or policies of the university or its foundations,’ school says

The University of Maryland will not be divesting from Israel, or any country, according to a school response to a student referendum.

Though students voted 55 percent in support of the non-binding referendum at the College Park campus, the school said the vote will not affect school operations.

“This referendum was led and undertaken by undergraduate students, as is their right to do so in accordance with SGA policies and procedures,” Media Relations Director Hafsa Siddiqi told The College Fix via email. “The results of the referendum have no bearing on the operations or policies of the university or its foundations.”

Students voted on a question regarding divestment by university foundations that mentioned “human rights” abuses in a variety of places.

It stated:

Do you demand that the USM Foundation and UMCP Foundation divest from companies that consistently, knowingly, and directly facilitate and enable state violence and repression, war and occupation, or severe violations of international law and human rights in Palestine, Sudan, Guatemala, Myanmar, Yemen, the Philippines, the United States[/]Mexico border, or anywhere in the world?

Among voting students, 55 percent favored the resolution, 35 percent opposed it, and eight percent abstained during the April 3 vote. (Presumably the Student Government Associated rounded the percentages).

The vote followed a resolution on March 5 to bring the proposal to a vote by the student body after years of attempts.

Students for Justice in Palestine spearheaded the initiative following the failure of a similar SGA resolution in Nov. 2024.​

According to the chapter’s Instagram, the organization collected signatures via petition as a “sure fire.” It did not respond to a message from The Fix in the past several weeks asking for further plans and any comment on the school’s decision to reject the resolution.

A representative of Christians United for Israel on campus criticized the referendum vote.

“Regarding the recent referendum, I want to be clear: it did not pass overwhelmingly, and it remains nonbinding,” the representative told The Fix via text message. “Until the SGA takes further action, it does not reflect any official undergraduate policy.”

“The University of Maryland has already stated that this vote will not impact how the administration chooses to invest or divest,” the group’s representative said. “In fact, not a single university in the United States has ever divested from Israel.”

“This referendum has been deeply divisive on campus. While it was promoted under the guise of human rights, the language and tactics used made it clear that this was about targeting Israel, not promoting justice or peace,” the CUFI rep stated further. “It has left many Jewish and pro-Israel students feeling alienated and concerned about rising hostility.”

However, the Council on American-Islamic Relations Maryland office praised the outcome of the referendum, describing it as a “historic” decision. In its statement, CAIR commended UMD students for their “courageous and historic vote” in favor of divestment from companies allegedly involved in human rights violations in Palestine and other regions.

“CAIR stands with them in their efforts to promote awareness and accountability, and we hope this motivates UMD and other institutions to pursue decisions that promote justice and equity for Palestinians and all peoples suffering from oppression,” Outreach Coordinator Kimberly Syuardi stated.

The Maryland CAIR chapter previously successfully lobbied the university to cancel a speech by a doctor and military officer with the Israeli Defense Forces.

The University of Maryland medical school canceled the event, citing vague safety concerns, as The Fix previously reported.

MORE: California university students hunger strike to protest Israel ‘starving’ Gaza

IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: A celebratory graphic from the University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine chapter; University of Maryland Students for Justice in Palestine/Instagram

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