Student Council votes to pass divestment and disclosure resolution at a special meeting

The resolution, titled “Resolution to Ensure UW Investments Comply with Wisconsin Anti-Discrimination Law,” calls on the Board of Regents “to remain consistent with their previous divestment from apartheid in South Africa and genocide in Sudan by divesting from ongoing apartheid in Israel and ethnic cleansing in Sudan,” calls on the UW System Trust Fund and the UW Foundation to “divest from all investments complicit in apartheid and genocide” and calls on the UW System to establish a committee composed of students, faculty and staff to “monitor and provide binding recommendations on all investments,” among various other demands and rationales.

After a long debate including some amendments on language and additions, voting was forced to commence at 9:30 p.m. following a motion to prevent debate from going over that time. With a vote of 15 ayes and five nays, the legislation was passed. Three abstentions were recorded, two of which follow common voting practices for ASM leadership positions.

Prior to the vote, open forum participants discussed personal experiences and information regarding perceived legality, among other discussion topics regarding the legislation.