ACF Commends Ohio University for Rejecting Divestment Referendum

Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) commends Ohio University for swiftly rejecting a student-led referendum calling for divestment from Israel Bonds.

Last week, the Ohio University student body voted in a campus-wide referendum to support a divestment bill that had previously passed in the student senate. The measure was co-authored by Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) and the Young Democratic Socialists of America.

In response, the university made clear that it would not act on the proposal. Senior Director of Communications Dan Pittman stated that while Ohio University values input from student governance, it “will neither consider, nor act upon, any resolution or referendum that proposes illegal actions or could expose the university to civil liability.” Ohio law prohibits public universities from engaging in discriminatory boycotts or restricting commercial relationships, including divesting from Israeli investments.

ACF views the university’s response as a critical affirmation that student government actions cannot override state law or institutional responsibility. Efforts tied to the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions (BDS) movement foster division and contribute to a hostile campus climate, particularly for Jewish and pro-Israel students.

About ACF: Alums for Campus Fairness (ACF) leverages the unique power of alumni to combat antisemitism on college campuses. ACF helps organize and cultivate alumni chapters for colleges and universities across the country, equipping members with tools, tactics, and training to proactively engage with administrators. Learn more at www.campusfairness.org.