Return to WSU, Board of Governors
Live reporting by Perry Sylvester
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Students presented a "Responsible Investment Proposal" to the Board of Governors, identifying the university's history of divestment from South Africa and tobacco, and corporations found complicit in Gazan genocide. The governors seemed uninterested; one refused to take a copy.

Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6
Ok, Detroit! Wednesday, 12/11 at 2 PM I live tweet the WSU Board of Gov's meeting for #DETdocumenters @DetDocumenters & media partners @BridgeDet313 @chalkbeatDET @freep @metrotimes @michigan_public @media_outlier @PlanetDetroit @wdet @wxyzdetroit

04:20 PM Dec 10, 2024 CST

Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 2/63
Meeting is held on WSU campus, WSU Student Center, 5221 Gullen Mall. The agenda is here 👇🔗📋 bog.wayne.edu/meetings/373/b…
bog.wayne.edu/meetings/373/b…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 3/63
This is anniversary meeting of the one that, well, got a little disrupted as reported by media partner @wdet and @HerbergRadio 👇🔗🎧 wdet.org/2023/12/08/stu…
wdet.org/2023/12/08/stu…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 4/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio But that was really just the start of things to come. The Boycott-Divest-Sanction movement was soon in full-swing...here is an 'Introduction to BDS' from the WSU student paper 👇🔗🗞️
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 5/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio I meant, here thesouthend.wayne.edu/article_16b4fc…
thesouthend.wayne.edu/article_16b4fc…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 6/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio WSU, like many universities across the country, had an encampment of activists. And like all the encampments across the land of the freeish, it was closed down. A refresher is here 👇🔗 blackagendareport.com/detroits-wayne…
blackagendareport.com/detroits-wayne…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 7/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio Since that time, the g******* in Gaza has continued (accelerated?) & the conflict has gone regional. And the students, faculty and community members are not stopping their protest: thesouthend.wayne.edu/article_7ee8ab…
thesouthend.wayne.edu/article_7ee8ab…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 8/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio Well, we’re getting close…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 9/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio Keep in mind, there have been meetings going on all day…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 10/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio 20 minutes or so prior to start…no sign of signs, just sound checks & people settling in
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 11/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio There is a prominent warning to BEHAVE 🤨…or no meeting for you!🙄
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 12/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio So the public is gathering…some ‘Free Gaza’ gear but no signs are apparent
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 13/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio 2:03 and I am officially ‘antsy’…thank goodness they call it in order @DetDocumenters &@DetDocumenters
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 14/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Role & the frustrating biz as usual…consent agenda, etc & big hires
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 15/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Once more we have an agenda item dealing with faculty member-owned/controlled firm & contract with WSU…requires role-call vote & carries
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 16/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Something about policy on restricted & prohibited research…this at about 2:10…would be interested in seeing more of what this entails…when offered to speak on it, person queried stated it was just standard policy🧐
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 17/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters They are going through nominations for positions on Board of Governors for 2025…all comfy-cozy & friendly
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 18/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters They move to committee reports…they are offering a new program in something that seems like neuroscience
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 19/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Budget/Finance reports next…moving ahead with 2 capital projects about 2:15…now talking about full review of HR with report. Apparently everything is going to be fixed [sic]🥳👍
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 20/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Not sure what ‘everything’ entails, but that’s good, right? I mean, whatever it is?😆
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 21/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Presentation time! This is part of overall strategic plan…standard buzz words—‘efficiency’, ‘state-of-the-art’ etc
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 22/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters This is along with the ‘Framework’ stuff on their website 👇🔗 campusplan.wayne.edu
campusplan.wayne.edu
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 23/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Now we’re hearing about redevelopment dreams for several buildings listed below
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 24/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters They move to update on Health Sciences Research Bldg…going over ‘Golden Horde’ of those involved in the project…and pretty pictures!
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 25/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Timeline…January 2028 complete construction
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 26/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters $50 million in capital projects…would this have any impact on tuition? Just thinking’ out loud as he talks about $13 million on 2 elevators—which just can’t be right, so check transcript at 2:25-2:30 🤷🏼‍♂️
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 27/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters So ‘talkin ‘bout sustainability’
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 28/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters All the usual buzzwords…reduce carbon footprint, stormwater management, waste reduction/diversion…’comprehensive approach’ (which seems reasonable given it a systemic issue)…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 29/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters UN-based stuff…ambitious…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 30/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters …as Board Members talk about how great sustainability is, one has to look at the equally ambitious capital building campaign they previously discussed and ask if the 2 might be a tad contradictory. But that’s just me
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 31/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Review of the ‘happy news’ of accomplishments…one important aspect is faculty R&D
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 32/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters College to Career program noted as is Noel Night
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 33/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters As meeting rolls on, more & more people have come into the meeting room as members of public..28 people were listed on agenda to give comment, wonder if they will allow more
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 34/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Agenda item 10…recognition of Mark Gaffney. 1st vote to grant him emeritus status, 2nd a vote to endow a scholarship n his name
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 35/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Chair is giving some outgoing words…discussion of his achievements, noting his labor background
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 36/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters 2:53 and we are (finally) at public comment portion
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 37/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Getting that ol’ Eliot ‘Hollow Men’ vibe from board
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 38/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters So, here is the other side…the timer relentlessly winding down, having to speak fast
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 39/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters A med student discussing the growth of the BDS movement…states she (and others) will be reading parts of same text during parts of their comments
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 40/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Makes connection between Native Americans and Palestinians…quotes Hannah Arendt on how people doing evil are often boring careerists, asks board to break ranks
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 41/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters This student passed out the document she reading from…recommendations for WSU divestment…one of the board (I believe) refused to accept documents
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 42/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Reaction from public as they continue to read from document…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 43/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Professor from Ecumenical Theological Seminary speaks out…points out insanity of situation—board is acting like human shields for corporate interests, also makes connection to Native Americans
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 44/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Well…not sure I call this ‘engaged’😏
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 45/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters The board member who refused to accept the divestment recommendation document is being called out
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 46/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Signs coming out!
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 47/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Ridaa Khan, member of student senate speaks…she has a copy of the document, if anyone wants one
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 48/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Next person points out how WSU has mangled school public speech rules & weaponized police…when educational institutions become ideological freedom is over
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 49/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Next person…notes how WSU has multimillion dollar grant for studying PFAS…while Israel has weaponized PFAS in Gaza
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 50/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Next speaker approaches podium and states simply that she will continue reading from the document & launches right in
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 51/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Next speaker begins, stating she’s just here to continue reading the document…
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 52/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters The section of the document is ‘naming names’ of US companies producing weapons like Raytheon or weaponized tools like Caterpillar
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 53/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters But not just ‘hard goods’—pointing out financial institutions as well…points out that Board member Land is on her phone while comments go on. Like…wow. 🤨
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 54/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Huwaida Arraf, co-founder of International Solidarity Movement breaks it down for the Board
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 55/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters ISM website is here👇🔗 palsolidarity.org
palsolidarity.org
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 56/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters Motion to adjourn at 3:50 PM
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 57/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters So, that was…simultaneously depressing and inspiring.
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 58/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters The members of the board radiating the ‘so through all this’ vibe & the refusal to accept the document was a bad look
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 59/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters From ‘ol TS: The eyes are not here  There are no eyes here  In this valley of dying stars  In this hollow valley This broken jaw of our lost kingdoms
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 60/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters But on different topic, I did accept the document!👇
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 61/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters If I can’t find a link to digital copy I will scan & upload to Documenters
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 62/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters That is my coverage for the 12/11 WSU Board of Governors. If you feel any thing is not accurate email documenters@media_outlier.org with ‘Correction Request’ in subject line
Perry Sylvester @PerrySylvester6 63/63
@wdet @HerbergRadio @DetDocumenters A always, go to for more content & coverage Documenters.org
Documenters.org