This is an ongoing report. The article has been revised with input from Tufts’ executive director of media relations.
In the early hours of Monday, the Tufts Community Union Senate made a decision to approve three out of four resolutions. These resolutions urged University President Sunil Kumar to acknowledge the genocide in Gaza, advocated for the university to divest from Israeli companies, and called for the discontinuation of Sabra products in dining halls. However, a resolution to halt approval for study abroad programs at Israeli universities did not pass.
Prior to the 7:45 p.m. Sunday commencement, a gathering assembled in front of the meeting room at the Joyce Cummings Center. With around 310 attendees participating in the discussions for and against the resolutions, the deliberations extended over four and a half hours. The Senate conducted an anonymous vote in a closed session, revealing the outcomes shortly after 3 a.m. on Monday.
Patrick Collins, Tufts’ executive director of media relations, expressed disappointment in a statement to the Daily regarding the majority approval of three resolutions. He reiterated the university’s stance against the boycott, divestment, and sanction movement, emphasizing support for academic freedom and all academic programs, including study abroad initiatives and collaborations with various companies.
The original resolution texts were put forth by the Coalition for Palestinian Liberation.
S. 24-1 called for the discontinuation of approval for study abroad programs at Israeli universities by the Global Education office. The resolution required a simple majority to pass, but the voting resulted in a tie, with 16 senators in favor, 16 against, and 3 abstentions.
S. 24-2, which urged Tufts Dining to cease the sale of Sabra products, was approved with a vote of 22–9–4. This resolution aligns with the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement’s call to boycott Sabra due to the material support provided by its co-owners, the Strauss Group, to the Israeli military’s Golani Brigade.
During the proceedings, a modification to the original draft excluded Pillsbury products from the boycott list. The authors highlighted Pillsbury’s efforts to distance itself from Israel, thus not warranting a boycott.
S. 24-3 received the highest level of support, with 28 senators in favor, five against, and two abstaining. This resolution urged the university president, deans, and provost to acknowledge the Palestinian genocide, issue an apology for Kumar’s previous statements, and organize a public meeting involving CPLT, the Office of the President, and the school deans.
S. 24-4 demanded transparency from the Tufts Investment Office regarding the university’s investments and called for divestment from companies directly or indirectly linked to Israel. Among the passed resolutions, S. 24-4 encountered the most opposition, with 22 senators in favor, 11 against, and two abstaining.
Throughout the evening, students shared emotional accounts. One Palestinian student recounted their challenging experience navigating Israeli checkpoints in the West Bank and the shooting of their father in September 2023.
Other students expressed feeling marginalized as Jews amidst the campus discourse. Some students shared personal stories of family members lost in the Holocaust and drew parallels to historical traumas during the Oct. 7 attacks on Israelis. In response, a Jewish student urged peers not to justify another genocide using generational trauma.
Approximately 30 students left the venue midway through the event after certain speakers faced vocal opposition. Concerns were raised about the lack of respect during discussions, prompting one speaker to express their inability to continue engaging in such a contentious environment.
Following the incident, several Tufts students reported instances of antisemitism and discriminatory behavior via an @jewishoncampus Instagram post. Tufts’ executive director of media relations condemned these actions, emphasizing the need for accountability and thorough investigation into the reported incidents.
TCU Senate officials reminded attendees to adhere to meeting protocols and allow speakers uninterrupted time to share their perspectives. The subsequent discussions proceeded without major disruptions as each resolution was introduced and debated in sequence.
During the Q&A segment of the final resolution, a senator inquired about other private universities publicly disclosing all their investments. In response, one of the resolution authors emphasized the aim to instigate change rather than follow existing practices.
Although initially proposed by the Coalition for Palestinian Liberation, the resolutions were formally submitted by various student organizations spanning different cultural and ethnic backgrounds at Tufts.
The resolutions stipulate a response from the designated Tufts offices within a two-week period. Following the vote, the Coalition for Palestinian Liberation urged community members to withhold donations from Tufts until the TCU-endorsed resolution demands are met.
Reporting contributions by Michael Onysko and Josue Perez.