Student Council hears from students, community members regarding divestment and disclosure resolution

MADISON, Wis. — At last Wednesday night’s Student Council meeting, representatives heard from both supporters and those in opposition regarding a divestment and disclosure resolution proposed by five Student Council representatives. In addition, the council passed legislation on bylaw changes and administrative actions.

The proposed resolution, if passed, calls on the creation of an advisory committee within the UW System made up of students, staff and faculty to “monitor and provide binding recommendations on all investments, ensuring compliance with Wisconsin Statute 36.29(1) and socially responsibly investment principles.” In addition, it calls on the UW System Trust Fund and the UW Foundation to “divest from all investments complicit in apartheid and genocide.” Various other demands are included within the legislation, including formal advocacy through ASM to the Board of Regents and other entities.

Both students and community members packed the room Wednesday night, with different open forum participants speaking in favor and in opposition to the proposed resolution. Many included personal experiences and connections.

The meeting ran until 10 p.m., and no vote was able to take place due to time constraints. The Student Activity Center closes at 10 p.m., and this restrains Student Council from meeting past that time in order to comply with open meetings law.

Additionally, Student Council passed three different pieces of legislation. One involved bylaw changes for the Student Transportation Board, and another included bylaw changes for the Student Advocacy Committee–which contained the creation of a new position titled “Shared Governance Campaign Director.” Both passed, but they will require another vote because they are bylaw changes.

The other piece of legislation voted on was regarding Grant Allocation Committee approvals for various different event grants ranging from $4,000 to $10,000. The legislation was approved.

Some items on the agenda, such as reports, were unable to take place due to the aforementioned time limitation.

Because the council did not have the time to close debate and move to a formal vote, a special meeting is being arranged for this upcoming Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. The location is currently being planned.

A special meeting may be called by the chair to discuss specific items. The agenda will likely only include the resolution “Resolution to Ensure UW Investments Comply with Wisconsin Anti-Discrimination Law,” including typical meeting components such as open forum, opening and closing roll, adoption of the agenda, etc. The signup for open forum will be available at go.wisc.edu/asmopenforum closer to the meeting and the agenda will be as well (located here).

Due to the ongoing planning, any updates (such as the location) will be shared with the external email list for awareness.