@uofufjp.bsky.social
We do not speak or act on behalf of the University of Utah. Affiliation is given for identification purposes only. Instagram @facultyinsolidarity UofU new MOU policy response: https://tinyurl.com/58waut54 Petition: https://tinyurl.com/yvjcmctk
As our petition and subsequent statement make clear, the Ariel University MOU has generated extremely high reputational, legal, and operational risks for the University of Utah. It also harms the wellbeing of Palestinian students and colleagues on our campus and the human rights of Palestinian people in and beyond the West Bank. This MOU must be terminated without delay.
5/5 Read the full statement here tinyurl.com/58waut54
09.08.2025 18:21 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
Putting aside that this risk matrix focuses entirely on internal costs to the institution and ignores the university’s larger commitment to “social responsibility,” even a purely self-interested assessment of risk demands that the Ariel University MOU be dissolved. Without a doubt, the MOU—which violates Utah System of Higher Education policy and the U’s own guidance on institutional neutrality as well as makes the U complicit in grave violations of international law—should be classified as “high risk” on multiple, if not all, of the five metrics examined under the new approval process.
4/5 Read the full statement here tinyurl.com/58waut54
09.08.2025 18:20 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Faculty for Justice in Palestine welcomes this revised approval process. We commend university administrators for their commitment to consulting with faculty when reviewing proposed academic partnerships. However, the university must immediately review its MOU with Ariel University under the terms of the new process. Indeed, the new process is an empty gesture unless rigorously applied to the MOU that prompted it.
3/5 Read the full statement here tinyurl.com/58waut54
09.08.2025 18:19 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
August 7, 2025: This week, in response to growing condemnation of its recent agreement with Ariel University in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, the University of Utah announced a new review process for international MOUs. Along with requiring the approval of additional university offices before an MOU can be signed, the revised process establishes a “risk matrix” whereby proposed MOUs will be classified as “low risk,” “medium risk,” or “high risk” across five different metrics: legal/regulatory compliance, academic quality/accreditation, operational risk, reputation risk, and strategic alignment.
2/5 Read the full statement here tinyurl.com/58waut54
09.08.2025 18:17 — 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
University of Utah Faculty for Justice in Palestine Logo (1/5) University of Utah Faculty for Justice in Palestine Statement on University of Utah's New Approval Process for International MOUs
University of Utah Faculty for Justice in Palestine Statement on University of Utah's New Approval Process for International MOUs
09.08.2025 18:13 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0Alt text:
...We encourage any University of Utah faculty members, staff members, and students engaging in advocacy on this issue to use their personal emails when doing so.
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...We have made clear (see below) that all who sign this petition are doing so in their personal capacities and that university titles/affiliations are listed for identification purposes only. ...
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...(1) you do so in your role as a private citizen and make clear that you are not speaking on behalf of the University of Utah; and (2) you refrain from using university resources—including email—when speaking on matters of public concern. ...
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Longer Answer: As the University of Utah has made clear, HB 261 does not—and cannot—abridge your right to free expression, which is protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. You can speak on any and all matters of public concern as long as...
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Short Answer: YES, you are absolutely allowed to sign this petition and express yourself freely on this issue and any other issue of public concern.
Alt text: If you are a University of Utah faculty member, staff member, or student and are wondering "Am I allowed to sign this petition? What are my rights to free expression, given recent Utah state legislation (HB 261)?"...
09.06.2025 18:21 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
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Call to action! University of Utah Faculty for Justice in Palestine petition on the University of Utah's "Academic Partnership" with Ariel University in the West Bank. Read the petition link in our bio. Additional signatories--faculty, students, staff, alumni, members of the general public--should email fjp.uofu@gmail.com with their name and the title and/or affiliation with which they would like to be identified on this petition.
09.06.2025 18:13 — 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
