During a recent meeting of the University of Illinois Board of Trustees, several speakers passionately urged the board to reconsider its investment policies, particularly in light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The discussions centered on the university's financial ties to companies involved in military operations, with a focus on ethical and socially responsible investing.

One speaker, recalling their previous testimony in 1987 advocating for divestment from apartheid-era South Africa, emphasized the university's obligation to uphold its investment policies that consider environmental, social, and governance factors. They highlighted that the university currently holds over $27 million in investments linked to companies such as Boeing and Lockheed Martin, which are reportedly involved in the conflict in Gaza. The speaker described these investments as supporting what they termed \"genocide\" against Palestinians, citing alarming statistics about casualties and humanitarian crises in the region.

Another speaker, a recent law graduate, echoed these sentiments, linking the university's investments to broader issues of human rights violations. They called for a transparent review process involving students and faculty to ensure that the university's financial decisions align with its stated values of social justice and advocacy.

Alumni also voiced their concerns, with one graduate expressing a refusal to donate to the university until there is full transparency regarding its investments in military-related companies. They criticized the university's response to student activism, noting that police presence during protests created an atmosphere of intimidation rather than support for free speech.

The meeting underscored a growing demand among students, faculty, and alumni for the university to revise its investment policies to explicitly prohibit funding companies that facilitate human rights violations. The board was urged to take immediate action to align its financial practices with its educational mission and ethical commitments.