Hillel BC has brought to our attention an urgent crisis that requires swift action from our community. We commend them for their work on fighting antisemitism on campus, and we are here to support them.
Action Alert from Hillel
On February 28th, the Alma Mater Society (AMS/Student Union) faces a pivotal decision on whether to proceed with a referendum that poses severe threats to the fabric of Jewish life on campus. This referendum aims to terminate Hillel’s lease, advocates for UBC to adopt the BDS movement, and calls for the removal of Israel from the university’s exchange program roster.
Your immediate action is crucial: We urge you to send the email below today, urging the AMS not to place this divisive and detrimental referendum on the ballot.
Sincerely,
Rob Philipp
Executive Director, Hillel BC
Send the email below to the AMS today.
Subject: Reject the referendum petition
Dear Mr. Du and AMS Council Members,
I am reaching out as a deeply concerned member of the Jewish community. I ask you to please reject the referendum that poses a significant threat to the inclusivity, diversity, and fairness that define UBC. This referendum, which seeks to terminate Hillel’s lease, support BDS, and sever ties with Israel, affects not just a segment of our student body but strikes at the very principles upon which our university stands
By allowing this referendum onto the ballot, the AMS risks sanctioning an environment where antisemitism can flourish under the guise of political discourse. This is not the legacy that UBC should aspire to. Our university must remain a beacon of safety and support for all its students, including its Jewish population.
Also, the proposed by-law amendment to alter council representation clearly aims to exclude certain voices, particularly those of Jewish students, from our community’s dialogue. This is not merely a departure from UBC’s commitment to equity and inclusivity; it is a step towards a divisive and exclusionary governance model.
The stakes of endorsing these referendums are high, with long-lasting implications for the AMS’s reputation and the cohesive fabric of our student body. They represent more than policy changes; they are a test of our collective resolve against antisemitism and exclusion.
We count on your leadership to ensure these proposals do not find their way onto our ballots. The integrity of our university and the welfare of its entire student body are in your hands.