University of Michigan-Dearborn. Photo: Website

The Faculty Senate at the University of Michigan-Dearborn voted down two anti-Israel resolutions at its Tuesday meeting, The Algemeiner has learned.

Its chair, Professor Tim Kiska, told The Algemeiner Wednesday that he considered the discussion during the meeting “appropriate.”

“Anybody connected with our university community was welcome to be heard,” he said. “I felt the speakers on both sides of these questions were marvelously eloquent. The university setting is one of academic expression.”

According to a university spokesperson, the first resolution called on the university to endorse an academic and cultural boycott, as well as to avoid all forms of funding or subsidies, to Israel. It further supported the rights of scholars and students to engage in research and public speaking in support of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) campaign, without recrimination or coercion. That resolution was voted down 31-6, with one abstention.

The second resolution called for the university to establish an advisory committee to examine potential divestment from corporations doing business with Israel. That resolution was voted down 32-5, with one abstention.

According to an attendee, University Chancellor Daniel Little spoke forcefully against both resolutions, but his office had not responded to a request for comment by press time.