Massey keeps quiet while Victoria University divests from Israel
Wellington campus gets the landlord special...
Two weeks ago, Victoria University stood in solidarity with those impacted by the ongoing war on Gaza and divested roughly $50,000 from Israeli government bonds.
However, the Massey University Foundation is yet to divest $7,105 in Israeli Government Bonds. This is part of an external $64 million portfolio, making it difficult to alter.
University students across the motu have been persistently calling for institutions to divest any money tied to the Israeli Government.
But as Victoria takes a stand, it introduces an obvious question: Can other universities do the same?
Massey student Danni Nixey said it’s “embarrassing” for Massey to have any financial ties associated with the war on Gaza.
Pro-Palestine graffiti covered the Wellington campus for Open Day last month. Now, blotchy black paint covers up the slogans.
Nixey felt the clean-up of graffiti leaves a mark that may be more impactful than the graffiti itself.
“Them covering it up is quite representative of what’s actually happening in Gaza ... the protest was really showing that even if they cover it up, there is still something going on”.
Communications student, Kamaia Bainbridge-Frost, explained that prospective students and whanau who came to Open Day deserved transparency on who the university supports.
Bainbridge-Frost said Massey University needs to "stop remaining silent”.
“They’re being completely complicit in it and saying they don’t want to comment … this is a massive issue, and your students are clearly very passionate”.
The university declined to comment on the matter.
Previously, a Massey University spokesperson said, “As is appropriate for a university, Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University has not taken a single position on this issue.”
The university’s consistent stance has been that it is following the Education and Training Act of 2020, but encourages students and staff to engage in informed debate.