( JTA ) — The University of Michigan’s new student government campaigned on a simple message: Until the school agrees to divest from Israel, “No Business As Usual.”
Michigan’s Central Student Government is in charge of disbursing a $1.3 million annual budget, funded by student fees, among hundreds of student groups. But in the wake of its election victory in the spring, the Shut It Down Party is vowing to withhold funding from all student groups — including the Ultimate Frisbee club and the ballroom dance team — unless the university agrees to divest.
“If CSG cannot be used to support our pursuit of divestment, we will take decisive action to disrupt the status quo,” a March campaign statement from the party reads . “We will halt CSG activity and funding dispersal until the University of Michigan divests. We will Shut. It. Down.”
The university says it will circumvent the student government if it carries out the pledge. Still, the tactic has some students alarmed.
“Without this funding a lot of student organizations can’t function as they should, making a lot of students’ lives worse,” said Ryan Grover, a student and rugby player, at a student government meeting Tuesday night. “They’re going to be a lot worse off mentally. They’re going to be a lot worse off physically.”