'Not the university's role': UD responds to students protesting against violence in Gaza

University of Delaware students coordinated a walkout, die-in and more peaceful protest in the name of solidarity with Palestinian people in Gaza last week, as the Israel-Hamas War persists.

The student activism joins a renewed wave of dissent against the violence crashing on campuses throughout the country. Protesters have been arrested across the U.S., encampments cleared by police, demonstrations escalating as students call for action on the part of their institutions.

UD's chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine and partnering organizations have received a response from President Dennis Assanis.

"While we all hope for peace in the Middle East and throughout the world, it is not the university's role to call for a ceasefire in an international conflict," he writes in a letter to student leaders. "Where we believe the university can have the most significant and relevant impact in advancing world peace is through education and engagement, so I wholly support the efforts of our academic departments and student organizations."

UD: University of Delaware students join growing dissent against war in Gaza across campuses

Students have outlined demands that echo other campus groups across the U.S. — calling for an "immediate and permanent" ceasefire, as well as "financial divestment" by UD from companies and businesses operating in, or supporting Israel. This joins calls for increased transparency around investments and protections for pro-Palestinian students on campus.

Assanis did not address divesting, as he said UD has "no direct investment" in the entities students described, while tuition and fees are not part of the university’s endowment. Students have noted at least a few companies with military or supplier connections having received research grant funding from UD in 2021-22.

"We see you, we hear you, and I empathize with the deep pain and sorrow that you are experiencing," Assanis writes. "I am grateful for the chance to address the issues that you raise... The wellbeing of our UD community, especially our students, remains my top priority."

Student activists were not satisfied.

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"By prioritizing education, awareness and discussions of the occupation of Palestine and the plight of the Palestinian people, we are meeting you halfway, but you are failing to meet us halfway in making sure that the necessary institutional change occurs," write students from SJP, Black Graduate Student Association, Middle Eastern Student Association and many more, in a letter shared Tuesday.

Students doubled-down on their requests to the university — also hoping to see more representation for the Palestinian community and a university-created committee to research and lead ethical divestment. They also believe the university should "speak up against the targeting of Palestinian scholars, students and universities" in Gaza. Read the entire letter online.

Conversation here continues, though students stressed a lack of time.

"We have been willing to go through the proper channels, and asking us to continue to do so shows there is no urgency on your part," they write.

Protests nationally have caught university presidents, scholars and officials in the crosshairs, while Jewish students have simultaneously denounced growing antisemitism on their campuses. Demonstrators are protesting the civilian toll in Gaza, as USA TODAY reported last week, where more than 34,000 people have died since the Israeli invasion that followed a Hamas-led attack, which killed almost 1,200 people in Israel.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: University of Delaware responds to students protesting Gaza violence