Roosevelt University is an institution which prides itself on its commitment to Social Justice. This reputation is potentially the greatest selling point for incoming students. However, when faced with contentious social issues, Roosevelt fails to live up to its word. Following the recent events in occupied Palestine, Roosevelt's President Ali released a statement which lacked both substance and commitment. In the weeks since, students also received two notifications that protests would be occurring nearby and that the Michigan Ave. entrance would be "inaccessible." No other statements have been made, and no action (aside from lockdowns in response to protests) has occurred.

This is unacceptable. The actions of the state of Israel in response to recent attacks by Hamas amount to a genocide, and as time goes on that description becomes increasingly difficult to deny. As an institution which claims to uphold Social Justice values, Roosevelt University has a responsibility to students, faculty, staff, and donors to stand firmly with the victims of this Genocide in word and in deed.

In accordance with this, we make the following demands of Roosevelt University:

1. Recognize and publicly condemn Israel’s blockade and assault on Gaza as part of an organized and historic genocide.

2. Divest from weapons manufacturers supplying the genocide, as well as brands as outlined by the BDS movement.

3. Demand a ceasefire by voicing support for Cori Bush’s H.Res. 786, and call on local, state, and federal representatives to do the same.

4. Ensure protections for students and faculty who wish to speak out against the state of Israel.

5. Provide substantial additional mental health support beyond TimelyCare (including in-person counseling and academic accommodations) to students and faculty affected by the war.

6. Provide students the resources necessary to engage in local protests and provide up-to-date information on how to do so safely.

These demands represent the bare minimum an institution like Roosevelt University can be doing in times like these. They were designed to be entirely attainable by Roosevelt. If there are any difficulties in funding these measures, we suggest re-evaluating a budget which siphons three quarters of a million dollars into the salary of President Ali alone. If there are any difficulties in understanding what anti-genocide activism looks like, Roosevelt need only look into its own front yard.

Free Palestine.