Secrecy Surrounding Columbia's Endowment Frustrates Anti-Israel Protesters

Anti-Israel protesters at Columbia University have made financial divestment their top demand, but a significant obstacle stands in their way: the university's closely guarded endowment. Like many private institutions, Columbia keeps the specifics of its financial investments hidden from public view, complicating efforts to target specific holdings.

While Columbia's trustees do release annual financial reports, these documents offer only a high-level overview of investment performance and asset allocations. Specific details about where the university's money is invested, such as stocks and private equity funds, remain undisclosed, including any ties to Israel or Palestine. 

Are divestments feasible?

According to a report from Axios, this lack of transparency raises questions about the feasibility of the protesters' demands for divestment. Without knowledge of the university's investment portfolio, it becomes challenging to target specific companies or institutions allegedly profiting from Israeli actions in Palestine.

Columbia has stated that it'll not divest from Israel 

Columbia's President, Minouche Shafik, has firmly stated that the university will not divest from Israel, citing stalled negotiations with student protesters. The rhetoric surrounding the divestment demands also appears somewhat strained, with calls to divest from entities allegedly profiting from "Israeli apartheid, genocide, and occupation in Palestine" lacking clarity on how such profit is generated.

Will a middle path emerge?

It may. There may be room for progress in increasing transparency around the university's financial investments. Student protesters have called for Columbia to ensure accountability by providing more information about its investment practices. President Shafik has indicated a willingness to engage in discussions about transparency, similar to recent developments at Northwestern University, where protests led to the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility.

As the debate over divestment and transparency continues at Columbia University, the complexities of navigating the institution's secretive endowment underscore the challenges faced by those seeking to influence its investment decisions.