Anti-Israel protesters at the University of Wisconsin-Madison have agreed to remove their encampment from campus after reaching an agreement with university administration. The protesters, members of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), have committed to clearing the encampment and not disrupting graduation ceremonies or other campus events this weekend.
In exchange, university administration will facilitate access for SJP to meet with decision makers to discuss disclosure and investment principles. The agreement also includes a commitment from SJP to follow UW-Madison rules in future activities and not reestablish an encampment on campus.
The agreement outlines the university’s limited authority over endowment investments and commitment to facilitating access for SJP to relevant decision-makers. Additionally, administration will support scholars and students impacted by conflict in Gaza, Ukraine, and other areas.
Similar protests and agreements have occurred at universities across the nation, with some institutions considering divesting from businesses in Israel and stopping study abroad programs there. Protests have included demands to end ties with Israeli institutions, cease student trips to Israel, and advocate for a ceasefire in the conflict with Hamas.
The agreement marks the resolution of a nearly two-week encampment at UW-Madison, where law enforcement had previously cleared the area only for a new encampment to be established shortly after. Other universities, like the University of California in Riverside and Northwestern University in Illinois, have also made concessions to pro-Palestinian protesters in recent weeks.
