SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Sacramento State University said Wednesday it's reached an agreement with pro-Palestinian student protestors on campus.
The protestors, who were seeking divestment of funds from Israel, are calling it a victory.
The university announced the changes Wednesday afternoon through a statement:
"We have created a policy on socially responsible investment. We believe it’s important that our efforts to fund students’ education do not rely upon us benefiting from companies that profit from ethnic cleansing, genocide, or human rights violations," Sacramento State University said in a news release. "This policy is intentionally meant to cover the many atrocities and challenges that are taking place all over the world."
An encampment was established at Sacramento State Monday, April 29 in a pro-Palestine demonstration. Several student groups are present, including Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. They have a list of demands for California State University, which include divesting funds from Israel.
"We will continue to support and uplift our allies fighting for the same cause and we urge everyone to as well. The fight is not over yet this is just the beginning," Students for Justice in Palestine at Sacramento State wrote in an Instagram post.
A website with the university's policies shows recent changes for three documents, including its auxiliary organization's investments.
Regarding the auxiliary organizations, such as the University Foundation at Sacramento State, the Associated Students, Inc. and others, the updated policy states:
California State University, Sacramento directs its auxiliaries, including the University Foundation at Sacramento State (UFSS), to investigate socially responsible investment strategies which include not having direct investments in corporations and funds that profit from genocide, ethnic cleansing, and activities that violate fundamental human rights... the University further directs the Finance Committee of UFSS and other auxiliaries to ensure that the University’s investment portfolios remain free of such direct investments.
The updated policy states the UFSS doesn't currently have any direct investments in the affected areas. Israel is not mentioned specifically in the updated policies.
Sacramento State revised two other documents uploaded on PolicyStat, which is a document management software. One of those documents is a Presidential Memoranda, which was effective May 7, 2024. The other is a Policy on Policies, also effective May 7, 2024.
The policy updates can be seen in the gallery below.
Sacramento State Policy Changes
The Presidential Memoranda reads as follows:
CSU Sacramento opposes and condemns all acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism and other activities that violate fundamental human rights. Student protests and political action are cornerstones of higher education and democracy, and we unequivocally condemn hate and bias in all forms. We support students’ right to engage in peaceful activism without fear for their personal safety. We understand that many people feel anxious and fearful, particularly when standing for what they believe. We ask that everyone do their part to support one another, to ensure that CSU Sacramento is a safe and inclusive place for all.
A line was added to a Policy on Policies document that reads "CSU Sacramento opposes and condemns all acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, and other activities that violate fundamental human rights. CSU Sacramento will not engage in any activity or enter into any agreement that conflicts with these values."
ABC10 previously reached out to the CSU administration about the protesters' demands.
In a statement, they said, in part, “California State University does not intend to alter existing investment policies related to Israel or the Israel-Hamas conflict.”
The April 30 full statement from CSU on divestment is below:
In light of its fiduciary responsibilities and existing policies governing the assessment of environmental, social, and governance risks, the California State University does not intend to alter existing investment policies related to Israel or the Israel-Hamas conflict. Because of state law and CSU’s investment policies restrictions, the CSU does not invest in direct stocks or equities in any companies. The system does invest in mutual funds, bonds, and other instruments. Through careful management of the university funds, CSU investments provide a stable revenue stream that benefits our students and faculty, and supports our critical campus facilities, scholarships, and other key elements of our educational mission. While the CSU affirms the right of our community members to express diverse viewpoints, a divestment of this sort impinges on the academic freedom of our students and faculty and the unfettered exchange of ideas on our campuses."
Israel–Hamas war
The war began Oct. 7 when Hamas attacked southern Israel, killing around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting about 250 others. Israel says militants still hold around 100 hostages and the remains of more than 30 others.
The war in Gaza has driven around 80% of the territory's population of 2.3 million from their homes and caused vast destruction to apartments, hospitals, mosques and schools across several cities. The death toll in Gaza has soared to more than 34,500 people, according to local health officials.
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