Sacramento State President Luke Wood speaks out after encampment protest ends

Sacramento State’s president addressed the university's response to pro-Palestinian protests on campus, saying it was "focused on leading with listening and love." “The encampment didn’t disperse because the protestors saw our policies. They left because they saw our hearts,” Dr. Luke Wood said in a video message to students, faculty and staff on Thursday. On Wednesday, the university announced a new policy on socially responsible investment and later that day the protesters began to take down their encampment. Wood said in a video message the policy “is not targeted to one nation or people, but to the world.”It was the result of Sacramento State pursuing "a third space" despite other institutions of higher education being “encouraged to take sides and embrace a binary approach to global issues, conflicts, and wars across the world,” he said. Protesters at Sacramento State and other colleges across the country have included calls for divestment from Israel as part of their demands while protesting the country’s war with Hamas in Gaza. The demonstrators at Sacramento State celebrated the university’s decision to update its policies, even as those changes did not specifically list Israel as its target.Sacramento State's updated policies say the university "condemns all acts of genocide, ethnic cleansing, terrorism and other activities that violate fundamental human rights."One of the changes says the university's foundation does not have investments in "corporations and funds that profit from genocide, ethnic cleansing and activities that violate fundamental human rights." The change in policy says the university "nevertheless" directs the foundation's finance committee to ensure its investment portfolios steer clear of such investments.“We want a world that prioritizes life, humanity, and understanding,” Wood said in his video message. “We want a world that sees all our students, that hears their voices, and is attentive to their concerns.”He added, “And I want to be clear about one thing we did not do: We did not sign a treaty or agreement with students to close the encampment. You sign a treaty with your enemies, not with your students. We are proud that our students expressed their concerns peacefully and in accordance with our policies.” Wood’s message cited other actions taken this year to create a welcoming environment for Jewish and Palestinian students and their allies. That included expanding Halal and Kosher food options, this week's launching of a new Jewish Life and Resource Center, and plans to train educators on Islamophobia and antisemitism. “Our goal is to educate, promote peace, and to continue to lead with listening and love,” Wood said.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.