Statement by the President of the University of Southern California

Statement by C. L. Max Nikias, President, University of Southern California, on proposed academic and cultural boycotts and sanctions against Israel and Israeli universities and divestment of investments of certain firms involved in Israel

Over the past several years, the University of Southern California has been asked to join academic and cultural boycotts or other sanctions against Israel and/or Israeli universities and to consider divestment of investments in firms that have certain business operations in Israel.

I believe such actions would be a betrayal of our values as a pluralistic university whose students, faculty, and alumni come from more than 110 countries, and who represent a diversity of political, cultural and religious beliefs.

USC is deeply committed to providing the intellectual environment for cooperative and tolerant discourse, respecting the diversity of moral, political and religious views held by its members and working together to better understand the most challenging issues of our time.

December 15, 2010