In a recent statement to the University of California, Irvine campus community, Chancellor Howard Gillman announced that the university is engaged in negotiations with pro-Palestinian groups regarding divestment issues.
Gillman revealed that discussions have been ongoing, with the university presenting a proposal to student leaders on Wednesday and receiving a counterproposal on Thursday. Expressing concern over certain requests in the counterproposal that were not part of the initial demands, Gillman highlighted that it calls for the termination of external partnerships that provide student scholarships and support research collaborations. Additionally, the counterproposal demands an end to academic and research collaborations with Israeli organizations and individuals, a move that Gillman argued would infringe upon academic freedom and necessitate discrimination based on nationality, contradicting the university's commitment to anti-discrimination and principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Student protesters, primarily opposing Israel's military actions in Gaza, have been advocating for universities to divest from companies with financial ties to Israel, although the specifics of these demands vary across different campuses.
Gillman confirmed that negotiations will resume on Monday and expressed gratitude to the student protesters for maintaining a peaceful encampment that minimally disrupts university activities.
