MADISON, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin’s chancellor, Jennifer Mnookin, has bought time to ease campus tensions over the university’s connections with Israel’s war on Palestinian Gaza. Mnookin announced that negotiations with Students for Justice in Palestine have concluded with protesters agreeing to take down a tent encampment on campus and not disrupt graduation ceremonies. In exchange, Mnookin promised to arrange a meeting between student protest leaders and the university’s corporately separate arm, which controls the endowment investments. Investments that support Israeli aggression have been a protest target. Mnookin noted, however, that the university doesn’t have “direct control” over how the endowment is invested. In other negotiated points, the university agreed to:

> Review projects, opportunities, study abroad programs and internships that engage with people and places impacted by war.

> Consult with Palestinian members of the campus community.

> Invite at least one scholar from a Palestinian university each of the next three years.

> Hire a staff member to support students affected by war, violence and displacement.

Verbatim

Mnookin: “This has been a difficult period for our campus, our nation and the world. We want to be clear that UW-Madison supports peaceful student protest, fully respects the First Amendment, and has done so throughout this year. We appreciate that the encampment, named by SJP the Gaza Solidarity Encampment, although in violation of Chapter 18, was motivated by understandably passionate feelings about the devastation in Gaza, and was a source of community for many participants.”