Voices from the Staff: Reactions to the University of Utah’s New Partnership with an Israeli University

University of Utah Faces Backlash Over Ariel University Partnership

SALT LAKE CITY — A petition is circulating at the University of Utah challenging its recent partnership with Ariel University, located in the West Bank. This move has sparked significant concern among faculty, staff, and students.

Led by Faculty for Justice in Palestine, the petition criticizes the university for entering into an agreement with Ariel University. Professor Maile Arvin, an Associate Professor of History and Gender Studies, has raised strong objections. She notes that Ariel University is situated in what many consider an Israeli settlement in occupied Palestinian territory.

Arvin emphasizes the importance of understanding the realities of the West Bank, describing it as a segregated area often compared to an apartheid state. She states, “Ariel University particularly supports aggressive policies in Israel, and the University of Utah should reconsider this partnership.”

Adding to the controversy, Arvin insists that the university did not consult its Middle East experts before signing the agreement. “It’s disappointing that the university overlooks its own faculty’s expertise in such significant matters,” she said.

In response to the backlash, the University of Utah quickly revised its statement to clarify that the West Bank is part of occupied Palestinian territory.

The university maintains that such partnerships are standard practice. They explained that they have over 100 existing agreements worldwide and that these are typically initiated by faculty based on their research and collaborations. They asserted that the agreement with Ariel University began discussions earlier in the year, prior to the current conflict in Gaza.

The Heart of the Petition

The primary goal of the petition is to terminate the partnership with Ariel University. Arvin points out, however, that the effort is also about encouraging the university to engage its faculty more effectively in future agreements. “We want the administration to prioritize expert consultation moving forward,” she said.

This incident has sparked wider discussions within the university community about transparency and decision-making in institutional agreements. Many feel that faculty input is essential for such significant partnerships, especially in sensitive geopolitical contexts.

According to a recent survey conducted among university faculty, 65% believe that shared knowledge and expert opinions should guide international partnerships. The petition reflects a growing sentiment among educators who believe that relevant expertise must shape such crucial agreements.

As the situation develops, it may serve as a crucial example of how universities navigate complex global relationships while balancing local concerns. This also highlights the increasing push for accountability in academic institutions, encouraging deeper discussions about ethics, representation, and responsibility in higher education.

For further insights, you can read the university’s original statement here.

Conclusion

This unfolding story at the University of Utah encapsulates broader issues surrounding academic partnerships today. As social media continues to amplify opinions and discourse, the outcome of this petition could influence how universities approach future collaborations globally.

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