Students to vote in divestment referendum at Glasgow Uni: Here’s who’s endorsing which camp

Students at the University of Glasgow will have the opportunity to vote in a referendum on divestment this week. Organised by the Student Representative Council (SRC), the referendum will determine student support for the university severing financial ties with arms companies and institutions linked with fossil fuels and the Israeli military.

Voting will open at 9am on Wednesday 26 March, and close at 5pm on Thursday 27 March. All currently registered University of Glasgow students are eligible to participate and can cast their votes through the SRC website or via the My SRC App.

The referendum has garnered endorsements from a significant number of student societies advocating for a “Yes” vote. Among those supporting divestment are the Queen Margaret Union (QMU), Glasgow University Magazine (GUM), Glasgow University Food Co-op, and the Glasgow University Justice for Palestine Society (GUJPS). Societies representing a wide range of academic, cultural, and political interests have also backed the initiative, including the Glasgow University Labour Society, Glasgow University Communist Society, Glasgow University Scottish Nationalist Society, and the Glasgow University Women in Politics Society.

Additional societies supporting the divestment call include the Glasgow University Earth Science Society, Diversity in Law Society, Glasgow University Fashion Revolution, Glasgow University Infection and Immunity Society, Glasgow University Politics Society, and the Glasgow University Endometriosis and PCOS Society.

On the opposing side, no student societies have publicly endorsed a “No” vote as of yet. However, a campaign has been set up for this side of the referendum.

This referendum follows continued student activism regarding the university’s financial investments, with campaigners urging the institution to cut ties with companies linked to arms manufacturing and the Israeli military.

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The Yes4Divestment campaign told The Glasgow Tab: “Our campaign is focused on ensuring the University of Glasgow divests from the arms trade and invests in a more ethical future.

“With over 55 endorsements from student groups, societies, and clubs, we’ve seen overwhelming support for a university that prioritises peace over profit. Through social media outreach, events, and direct engagement with students, we’re building momentum to make this change a reality.

“We believe the university has a responsibility to align its investments with its values, and we’re excited to see so many students backing this vision.”

In the other camp, the No4Divestment campaign said: “As part of the “No” campaign, the biggest questions we face are the ethics of investing into the arms industry. Apart from labels which do not reflect reality, one of the most frequent assertions we encounter is that investing in arms manufacturers is morally questionable for a University. Our campaign would like to argue, otherwise, that investing in British Arms industries is actually more ethical than the “Yes” campaign acknowledges.”

They continued by saying the university is “extremely privileged” to be a place where discussion and critical thinking is encouraged, and that this is partly thanks to the defence industry and defence forces this country and university has continuously supported”.

The group’s spokesperson further added: “Thus, when this university invests in defence industries, it is safeguarding the free and democratic values that enable referendums like this to occur, ensuring the UK remains secular, nurturing critical thought and intellectual pursuits and protecting students from existential threats like terrorism and war.

“Therefore, in order to uphold democracy and its foundational principles, we do not see it as unethical to invest in the means necessary to defend those very ideals. This includes supporting the British Armed Forces and related industries. In fact, we believe it is more ethical to take such actions.

“To divest would set a precedent indicating that the university refuses to invest in the protection of the same democratic values that prevail in Glasgow, the UK, Ukraine, and other democratic nations. Failing to acknowledge this signifies a blindness to privilege, and a reality that most of our campaign members have experienced.”

Results of the vote will be announced by the SRC following the close of polling on Thursday evening. The outcome is expected to provide a clear indication of student sentiment on the university’s investment policies.

For further information on the referendum and voting procedures, students can visit the SRC website or access the My SRC App.

Featured image via Instagram