Belfield Campus Update: Agreement reached to end encampment

Posted 08 June, 2024

A statement made by UCD on Palestine and the agreement to end the protest encampment on campus

UCD is a university with a strong commitment to human rights and the rule of law. Accordingly, we are outraged by the ongoing mass killing of civilians, the withholding of humanitarian aid, and the destruction in Palestine by Israel. As a member of the global university community with an enduring commitment to academic freedom, expression and safety, UCD is particularly appalled by the destruction of all universities in Gaza and attacks on their students, faculty and staff.

Our statement follows the Irish government’s recognition of the state of Palestine and their intervention in South Africa’s case against Israel under the Genocide Convention at the International Court of Justice. The university recognises the International Court of Justice rulings to prevent the violation of international laws in Palestine.

UCD supports freedom of speech and the right of students and staff to protest on campus. We recognise the powerful tradition of student and staff activism in our university, as in others, in bringing about positive change.

UCD Students’ Union, UCD BDS and UCD Academics for Palestine have now ended their encampment and associated protests on the Belfield campus.

UCD will take the following steps:

• Within our University of Sanctuary programme, UCD will establish a separate stream of up to eight sanctuary scholarships for displaced Palestinian applicants.
• Under the existing Scholars at Risk programme, UCD will support up to four scholars from Palestinian universities.
• To enhance oversight by our governance structures:
  • A working group, including nominees of the UCD Students’ Union, will be established to develop a policy on ethical investment by June 2025 for approval by Governing Authority.
  • The Bursar will report annually to the Finance, Remuneration and Asset Management Committee of the Governing Authority on the location of all university investments.
  • The list of research grants included in enhanced President’s reports to the Governing Authority will include the international partners for each.
  • Nominees determined by the Students Union will join a review group of our sustainable procurement policy.
• UCD remains committed to sustaining an inclusive university culture, respecting a diversity of views, and sense of belonging for all and will take action to ensure our multicultural campus community can be better reflected in the names of spaces on our campus, and in university awards and honours.