Student Body President vetoes divestment resolution
A Student Government (SG) resolution to make USF divest in companies purported to have questionable human rights records was vetoed by the student body president.
At Tuesday’s senate meeting, Student Body President Andy Rodriguez and Student Body Vice President Michael Malanga vetoed the resolution in a memo.
According to the memo, Rodriguez and Malanga “believe the message being sent does not reflect an aggregate student voice.”
Moreover, they said they believe bringing such a “polarized and politically driven” topic into SG “serves only to divide the Student Body and to disparage students with opposing viewpoints,” rather than uniting them.
The resolution came before the SG Senate on Jan. 19 and was approved with a vote of 32-12 and four abstentions. However, the university said in a statement that the USF Foundation board would not be considering the request again.
A nearly verbatim resolution came before the Foundation two years ago, and the university did not decide to divest at that time, either. Then, the resolution was presented by members of the university’s chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine in the form of a presentation of a petition with over 10,000.
The resolution also garnered attention on Facebook with dozens of students posting videos with the hashtag #DearAndy. In these videos, supportive senators and others would explain why they believe the resolution is important.
According to Rodriguez and Malanga’s memo, “it is not the role of Student Government to interject into international politics nor investment policies.”
More Stories
Solano, Malanga win SG presidential run-off election
Juniors Sebastian Solano and Jessica Malanga were announced as Student Government (SG) president and vice president in the 2023 SG presidential run-off election. A total of 2,087 votes were cast across all three campuses, in which Solano and Malanga won 1,076. Runners up Cesar Esmeraldi and Elizabeth Volmy drew 1,011 votes, a 65-vote differential. Election […]
On-campus political groups split on bill targeting diversity initiatives
Student-led political groups on campus have presented differing opinions and action plans regarding House Bill 999, which targets diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) and critical race theory (CRT) initiatives at the state’s public universities. House Bill 999, which passed through the Florida state house on March 13, aims to prohibit state colleges and universities from […]
Trans+ Student Union holds Gender Affirming Clothing Swap
Among hundreds of clothing items separated by tops, bottoms and accessories displayed on top of several chairs in rows, the Trans+ Student Union (TSU) aimed to provide a safe space for over 45 students in attendance to explore their gender expressions through fabric. The Gender Affirming Clothing Swap event was held at the Marshall Student […]
Student-led art exhibit showcases multidimensional change
Standing in front of a group of 20 attendees in the dimly lit Marshall Student Center Centre Gallery, freshman interdisciplinary social sciences major Carolina Gutfruend shared the significance of honoring sexual assault awareness through her art. Recounting her own experiences with guilt and shame as a survivor of sexual assault, Gutfruend said she wanted her […]
Students, faculty rally against state legislation targeting diversity initiatives
At a Tuesday rally intended to create student awareness for preserving academic rights, history professor Alex Levine read aloud two emails he received earlier this week from prospective employees and graduate students expressing fear for their future at USF. One of the emails was from a trans philosophy graduate student who messaged him about her […]
BOT approves new collective bargaining agreement, hears public comments regarding state legislation
At Tuesday morning’s meeting, the Board of Trustees (BOT) voted to accept a 3-year bargaining agreement (CBA) with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) and listened to public comments from students and professors regarding House Bill (H.B.) 999. During the 9:30 a.m. hour-long meeting in the Marshall Student Center Ballroom, the […]