On Monday, April 7, the University of Wisconsin Faculty Senate met to vote on Committee Resolution 3214. The resolution condemns police brutality against pro-Palestinian protestors which occurred on May 1, 2024, at the encampment on Library Mall. The Senate passed the resolution in a 79-52 majority vote.
The resolution, sponsored by geology professor Keith Woodward, was first read at the Faculty Senate meeting in March ahead of Monday’s vote. The resolution seeks to condemn police brutality and restore a Protest Decision-Making Team along with a Protest Administrative Review Team, which would consist of a shared governance of faculty, staff and student oversight to review UW responses to protests.
“This response raises concerns about the disproportionate use of law enforcement in a peaceful protest and highlights the need for constructive engagement, safety and respect for the right to protest,” the resolution reads.
The University Committee met earlier on Monday with Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin to discuss various issues facing the university, including funding cuts and challenges surrounding international students.
Chancellor Mnookin has been meeting with various Wisconsin state legislators across the aisle to discuss how the work and research done at UW makes a difference in their districts, she said. She has also reached out to representatives in Washington to discuss funding cuts.
Mnookin said UW has seen some pauses on small individual grants but nothing as substantial as cuts to various private universities across the country from the current presidential administration.
Mnookin also discussed plans for issues regarding international students and students performing research abroad in response to a question by Director of the African Studies Program and Development Studies Program Nancy Kendall.
Kendall mentioned other universities have put out statements regarding international students and citizens alike getting stuck at the border upon returning to the U.S., though Mnookin made it clear there have been no known cases of detainment by ICE officers on the UW campus.
Kendall asked how to best support students on this matter.
Mnookin assured the committee that UW’s International Division has communicated with international students, but it is difficult to put out a cohesive statement given the large “variety in particularities” surrounding the issue.
Mnookin addressed international students leaving the country for personal travel or studies, specifically students doing research abroad.
“It would be irresponsible to tell people they shouldn’t leave, but also irresponsible to not tell people there may be certain challenges,” Mnookin said.