Willamette University students occupy school building, demand divestments from Israel

About 50 Willamette University students Friday afternoon peacefully began an occupation of the third floor of Putnam University Center, demanding the private school disclose and divest its investments in Israel "and the American war machine as a whole."

A statement by the Willamette University Students for a Democratic Society said the students planned to occupy the building until demands were met or "for as long as we can hold out."

The students gathered at Jackson Plaza at noon before walking into the university center, which houses the Willamette store, mail center, a student-run cafe and administrative offices. On the third floor, there are offices for academic affairs, the career development center, student affairs and the university student paper.

"Others have asked why we moved so quickly towards staging an occupation ... Dialogue, collaboration and consensus-building should be the first approach of changemakers. We do not have time for that approach now," their statement said. "We have no time to wait for a meeting. ... To allow our struggle to be postponed for the summer months would be to allow our university to remain complicit in one of the worst tragedies of our generation during its most critical moments."

The statement said the occupation was part of the international solidarity movement. As of Friday, more than 2,000 students at campuses across the U.S. had been arrested in other protests and encampments.

The scene at Willamette was quiet and peaceful: Some students worked on their laptops (final examinations began for some on Friday) and others spoke to each other.

One student went over safety practices. The students said they would take shifts at the entrance of the building, for example. Half of those gathered raised their hands when asked who would be willing to sleep overnight. On social media, the group had requested sleeping bags and supplies. Hot chocolate, bottled water, granola bars and other supplies were available Friday afternoon.

Willamette student protesters met with university representatives

Zeke Druker, a senior, said a representative of the society met with university administrators earlier in the week to inform them of the students' demands, and on Thursday they shared a petition with 170 student signatures.

Druker told the Statesman Journal that the administration vowed as long as the demonstration remained nonviolent, Willamette University leadership would not be quick to call in law enforcement.

Dan Valles, chief operating officer with Willamette, offered to meet next week about how the university manages its endowment, according to the students.

In an email forwarded to the Statesman Journal, Willamette University President Steve Thorsett emailed the campus Friday morning with "information about Willamette's endowment" of $304 million.

Thorsett said Willamette's board of trustees uses an outside firm, Global Endowment Management, to manage its funds. The board, he said, in 2018 adopted an environmental, social and governance consideration policy for the endowment to preserve and protect the university's capital and generate real returns "while engaging in responsible investment stewardship."

"ESG principles are rooted in the idea that financial success must be accompanied by a broader consideration of environmental sustainability, social responsibility, and ethical governance practices," Thorsett said. "Incorporating these principles into our investment strategies aligns with Willamette's values and our mission to educate future leaders who can take on the world's greatest challenges within an ethical framework."

Thorsett's email said further questions and conversations around ESG investments and the endowment could be directed to Valles, who also serves as treasurer of the board.

No immediate response from Willamette administration

In brief remarks to students gathered at Jackson Plaza, Druker said the group would have "no toleration whatsoever" for antisemitism, Islamophobia, racism or other forms of hatred.

"Thank you so much for your presence. I know that being here is a risk," Druker said. "Our fight is with the administration's complicity and not with other students or the campus facilities."

Willamette University did not immediately reply to a request for comments after students occupied the building, but earlier had said they had been made aware that students planned to protest.

"We have been in communication with them to understand their intention and goals and are continuing to monitor the situation," said Director of Communications Lauren Mulligan.

Dianne Lugo covers the Oregon Legislature and equity issues. Reach her at dlugo@statesmanjournal.com or on X @DianneLugo

This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Willamette University students occupy building in protest