The Multicultural Leadership Council released a statement on Feb. 4 criticizing the university’s policy of “principled neutrality” as the first of a series of four statements. The other three statements to be released in the coming weeks will specifically address the university’s response to the conflict in the Middle East, hateful rhetoric and gun violence, according to junior and MLC President Zack Maaieh.
Twenty-three student organizations including the Asian American Student Association, the Association of Latin American Students and the Black Students Association signed in agreement with the MLC’s positions. Maaieh said all of the statements were approved by over 80% of the MLC when he shared the first in a Feb. 1 email to The Hustler.
The first statement condemned the position of principled neutrality, which Chancellor Diermeier has promoted since his appointment in 2020. The MLC said they “respect the intention” of encouraging free speech but believe the university has “failed” to actually make this idea a reality.
“The application of this principle has been an inequitable treatment of issues faced by students and an ignorance of the suffering of our surrounding communities and of humans across the globe,” the MLC statement reads.
The MLC called on Vanderbilt to make changes to its investments so its endowment would not go to industries they believe “harm society.” They cited Diermeier’s desire to use the funding for educational and research purposes and praised inclusive projects like Opportunity Vanderbilt, but they said they do not want to abandon their principles to “make a profit” for the university.
“We call on Vanderbilt to investigate and publish findings and divest from militarism and military corporations benefiting from escalations and death in world conflicts, the gun industry which rakes in $9 billion in profit by using toxic business practices, companies benefiting from Israeli oppression of Palestinians and fossil fuel companies that stifle the adoption of renewable energy and sustainable developments,” the MLC said.
The MLC asked that Vanderbilt reconsider its stance and use its power as a prestigious institution to create positive change.
“It’s time for Vanderbilt to shed the veil of ‘principled neutrality’ when convenient, and actively engage in advocacy that aligns with the broader societal good,” the MLC said. “We challenge Vanderbilt to live up to its mission of ‘bringing out the best in humanity’ and advance policies that create an environment that is inclusive, safe, responsible and forward-thinking.”
A representative of the university responded to the MLC’s statement in an email to The Hustler, claiming that the position of principled neutrality allows the university to “remain institutionally neutral” while supporting those “who may be directly affected by those issues.” They reaffirmed that the university has been “consistent in this commitment” to its position.
“Vanderbilt’s longstanding commitment to institutional neutrality helps best ensure an intellectual environment where our core values of academic freedom and expression can flourish,” the representative said. “The university’s deployment of endowment funds or engagement in boycotts as an advocacy tool would directly conflict with institutional neutrality and deny faculty and students the broadest possible space for diverse thought, inquiry and impassioned argument.”
President of Vanderbilt’s chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace expressed support for the MLC statements.
“As the Gaza genocide continues, it’s encouraging to know that MLC is not only speaking out against it but is also joining our effort to end Vanderbilt’s complicity in Israel’s assault,” the JVP president, granted anonymity for safety and privacy reasons, said.
A representative of Students for Justice in Palestine, also kept anonymous for safety and privacy reasons, said the MLC statements align with SJP’s values and perspective on the policy of principled neutrality.
“Vanderbilt’s refusal to acknowledge or take action against the ongoing genocide in Palestine — as well as their readiness to support recent problematic events — highlights the university’s apathy towards all minority students and struggles,” the representative said.
In a statement to The Hustler, the Muslim Students Association expressed similar support for the MLC statements.
“The school’s current policies fail to adequately address current human rights abuses and continue to raise concerns about the university’s supposed commitment to supporting and caring for the many impacted communities on campus,” MSA said in a statement to The Hustler.
The first of the other three statements from the MLC was released on Instagram on Feb. 11. It states support for Palestine, saying Israel has “disproportionate power” over Gaza. The MLC also called for Vanderbilt to advocate in defense of Palestinian students and said they believe the university has not upheld its stance of principled neutrality, citing concerns regarding Dialogue Vanderbilt speakers.
“During this time of crisis and to rectify the polarization Diermeier intensified, we call for the University to work with Palestinian students to immediately send a message to the Vanderbilt community recognizing Israel’s horrific treatment of Gazans and the personal impact it has on Vanderbilt community members,” the MLC said.
