SRI Policy Passes
With two abstentions, Student Government Assembly’s Socially Responsible Investment Policy passed on Thursday evening.
Senator at-Large Rose Asaf, author of the resolution, has been working since the beginning of the fall semester to implement an SRI policy in the University’s rulebook. Since this kind of policy already exists at a number of other elite universities, Asaf told the SGA it’s time for NYU to implement a similar policy.
“Many of our other partner schools have [SRI],” Asaf said. “NYU is gravely behind the curve on this one and we should be holding the university accountable for the investments that it makes.”
Earlier this month, authors removed “Palestine” and “Israel” from the resolution’s language. The move to omit key terms came after NYU denounced the resolution this past December. Authors of the resolution called this action by the University an “unprecedented response.”
If an SRI policy was implemented, it would ensure the University not invest in companies seen as complicit towards human rights violations.
Two Senators abstained from the vote including Wagner Student Senator Saman Marji.
“I was having a side conversation and didn’t hear what the motion was,” Marji told WSN.
“So, I abstained.”
Authors of the resolution want it on the University Senate floor by March and to see a vote by April.
Resolution to Foster a Culture of Sexual Respect Passes
Running half an hour over schedule with 42 members present, the members of SGA thought they were unable to motion the Foster a Culture of Sexual Respect resolution to an active vote. For a resolution to pass SGA, 43 members are needed to actively vote.
Right before the vote took place, Medical School Senator Philip Lin entered the room and was encouraged to vote, despite not having heard the full presentation on the resolution.
“I have no idea what’s going on,” Lin said at the meeting.
“Just vote,” several SGA members responded.
Lin voted, and the motion to vote on the resolution was accepted.
Senator at-Large Christopher VanDemark told the SGA body that a student voice needs to be included when the university forms committees on sexual misconduct.
“This is a time for this body to say this isn’t acceptable, this isn’t meeting the standards for my constituents,” VanDemark said. “We want to be brought to the table.”
The Senate Ad-hoc Advisory Committee on Sexual Misconduct has not met this academic year, according to Senior Vice President for Student Affairs Marc Wais.
A representative from the NYU organization Men Against Rape and Sexual Misconduct expressed the urgency of passing a resolution that would activate the committee and involve SGA more.
“Every moment we wait, a voice is being silenced,” the representative said.
The resolution includes amendments that ensure incoming first-year undergraduate and graduate students are informed and trained by Think About It — a program by Campus Clarity that helps universities to prevent sexual assault on campus. The program is required for incoming undergraduate and graduate students.
Email Jared Peraglia at [email protected].
