The University of Colorado Board of Regents last week voted, in effect, to reject an activist groups request that the school divest from Israel.
Technically, the Nov. 9 board decision approved a measure to support the investment decisions of the universitys treasurers office and other investment advisors who had already expressed opposition to divestment on the grounds of investment neutrality and a desire to stay out of Middle East politics but the result remains a rejection of the divestment push, the Boulder Daily Camera reported.
The decision came in the form of a resolution sponsored by Regent Jim Geddes, the Camera reported, and effectively negated the efforts of a CU graduate, Michael Raab, who has been lobbying for months to encourage the school to divest from companies that support what he called the immoral occupation and apartheid of Israel.
Supporting the divestment attempt at last weeks meeting was retired CU professor Tom Mayer, who said divestment from Israel would affirm the universitys commitment to social justice.
The measure passed by a vote of six to one, with Regent Michael Carrigan voting against it and Regent Stephen Ludwig abstaining.
Regents supporting last weeks resolution were Steve Bosley, Tilman Bishop, Jim Geddes, Kyle Hybl, Sue Sharkey, Monisha Merchant and Joe Neguse.
The Mountain States regional office of the ADL had sent representatives to several board meetings in recent weeks to counter the divestment efforts.
In a Nov. 15 statement, regional director Scott Levin said:
The university did the right thing by making clear that it is unfair to hold one country Israel to a different standard. The divestment resolution was a thinly veiled attempt to demonize and delegitimize Israel.
Copyright © 2011 by the Intermountain Jewish News
