UC has reportedly divested all but $44,000 of its armaments investments
Photo by Hariklia Nicola.
For coverage on the events of May 1, read Canta’s previous story: https://www.canta.co.nz/newscanta-1/5ypja719koo6fojfuw3aqagsw4y0z4
Students’ occupation of the Matariki building on May 1 saw a broken arm and multiple concussions, with protesters escorted from the building by security and police.
UC Student Justice for Palestine (SJP) has now met with Deputy Vice Chancellor Catherine Moran and Executive Director – People, Culture and Campus Life Paul O’Flaherty to discuss tensions between protesters and security staff, SJP spokesperson Joseph Bray said.
According to Bray, the meeting involved discussions of an event on May 22, in which a member of UC Security sprayed a power washer at the face of a student who was filming the member of staff removing chalking on campus.
Bray said the group was told the member of staff had since been stood down – in seeking to confirm this, a university spokesperson told Canta it is unable to comment on employment related matters.
Moran reportedly told the group a discussion of expected behaviour from security had occurred since the May 1 protest, and certain members of security staff had been asked not to engage with student protests in the future.
Furthermore, SJP have said Moran has confirmed the university has divested all but $44,000 of its’ armaments investments as of May 23.
“This is being celebrated as a critical victory for the SJP movement, as the academic board motion that brought about this divestment was birthed from student pressure at the encampment in 2024,” Bray said.
However, the group reaffirmed that it feels any investments, regardless of the amount, in armaments by the university is unacceptable.
“SJP will continue to rally against the university's remaining investments in armaments, as well as future transparency around how these investments came to be, what companies they were in, and how UC will ensure that no future investments in armaments are made.
“Additionally, SJP Canterbury wishes to see the University of Canterbury divest from the cybersecurity and software companies that operate in Israel, that it has invested $162,000 in,” Bray said.
According to a University Council Memorandum dated November 14, 2024: “UCTF [University of Canterbury Trust Fund] has a portfolio of $144.8 million at 30 September 2024. To date, the UCTF financial advisers have identified only $162,000 (0.1%) that has a presence in Israel, being software and cybersecurity organisations. A “presence” in Israel means that the entity trades in Israel but it does not mean that it is an Israeli owned company. In any event, none are obviously connected to the Israeli government.”
“We believe that investment in companies present in Israel, especially those regarding cybersecurity and software, need to be immediately divested as those companies legitimise and uphold the actions of an apartheid state,” Bray said.
“We will continue to push for any tie to the state of Israel, through investment, academic, or otherwise to be immediately suspended, and for UC to uphold its status as a critic and conscience of society as it so proudly claims by standing firmly against genocide and scholasticide,” they said.
When asked for its’ response, the university maintained no student fees are used for the purpose of investments, and it supports the right of students and staff to engage in lawful, peaceful protest.
In an earlier response to Canta’s questions, the university said in order to uphold academic freedom and open debate, it does not adopt a stance as an institution.
Canta asked Bray whether students who were injured during the May 1 protest would be taking matters further, to which they said some had already filed assault charges with police and others had been encouraged to do so.
Furthermore, Bray said the UCSA’s public response to the events of May 1 was disappointing, and did not take into account the welfare of the students involved.
“More than anything I think we just want support as students, you know. And that’s not talking about individual support but we want the university’s student association to take a stand on our behalf, we want them to say that its’ not ok that students were handled this way,” Bray said.
In a media inquiry to UCSA President Luc MacKay, Canta asked what his response is to both students feeling the UCSA’s response did not account for the welfare and treatment of those involved, and to students involved in the rally not feeling safe on campus.
In the UCSA’s online statement it also said it was actively seeking clarity from those involved – Canta sought to find out what this looked like, and if it had occurred.
MacKay said:
“We are disappointed to hear that the student feels that way. As President, I ensured that students who reached out for support were connected with the appropriate support services available here at UC. Similar welfare and support services were also outlined within our statement. This aside though, we do feel that the statement we released needed to make it clear that we support peaceful protest while also raising valid concerns about safety protocols and misinformation.
Following our statement, we reached out to both SJP and UC to seek clarity on the issues raised. As a member of the University Council, I’ve had direct oversight of the financial matters in question. UC Trust Funds are legally separate from the University, and no student tuition is invested in them. Since the matter was first raised at Council in November 2024, we have seen UC take steps to divest from companies associated with armaments. This work is ongoing, and the UCSA will continue to monitor UC's progress on this closely.
As we have said since the very start, the UCSA respect the right of students to protest and express themselves about political matters. But that right comes with the responsibility to engage in good faith, uphold safety, and ensure claims made are accurate. The UCSA will always advocate for students, but we will do so based on facts and integrity.”