Georgetown University undergraduate students voted to approve a referendum calling on the university to divest from and disclose engagement with companies with ties to Israel’s government, the Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA) election commission announced April 29.
During the April 26-28 voting period, the nonbinding referendum asked students if the university should disclose private investments, divest from private companies supporting the Israeli military and end partnerships with Israeli academic institutions. The referendum passed with 67.9% of the vote — 1,447 students voting in favor, and 685 against — with a turnout of 2,132 students, or 29.5% of the student body.
A university spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
On April 6, 16 of the 28 GUSA senators voted in favor of introducing the referendum to the student body. The referendum cited Georgetown’s investments in companies such as Alphabet — Google’s parent company — and Amazon, which have developed technology for Israel’s military.
Students at other universities, including Yale University, Stanford University and Cornell University, have passed similar divestment referendums, though the university administrations have not acted on them.
The referendum faced opposition from students arguing it would stifle academic freedom and unfairly target Israel. Some GUSA senators also criticized the referendum’s introduction to the student body since its sponsors circumvented typical senate rules of introducing a referendum.
Students supporting the referendum argued that Georgetown’s investments make it complicit in Israel’s actions in its war with Gaza, creating a moral obligation to divest from Israel. Supporters also said the referendum allows students to show administration their thoughts on university practices.
Though the referendum passed, it is not binding on the university. Georgetown’s board of directors, which governs the university, ultimately has the power to decide whether or not to take action on the proposal.
