Cornell CML Instagram Posting
The 1:30 p.m. September 18 rally by the Coalition for Mutual Liberation (CML) targeted on-campus recruiting.Previously, CML focused upon divestment: CML demanded that Cornell disclose where it has invested its money and that none of it should be in companies that do business with Israel.
Those demands were rejected because Cornell has agreements with its investment managers to keep Cornell’s holdings confidential, and certain SEC regulations govern how Cornell makes public any information on publicly-traded companies. In addition, New York has policies, such as Executive Order No. 157, which prohibits engaging in anti-Israel BDS divestments. So, the CML has failed regarding its call for Cornell to divest from Israel-related companies.
Having struck out with divestment, CML is turning to interfering with recruitment by companies with alleged connections to Israel. CML claims that a job fair was scheduled for Statler Hall and that L3Harris and Boeing would be recruiting there. So, after a rally at Day Hall, the CML marched to the Statler and entered the building while using megaphones to make disruptive noise.
Accordingly, Section 4.8 of the Student Code of Conduct specifically prohibits:
“Intentionally obstructing or restraining the lawful participation of another person in an
authorized activity or event, such as regular and special curricular activities,
extracurricular activities, employment interviews, and recruiting activities.”
The Cornell Career Center does not discriminate between recruiting companies based upon their involvement with Israel. The Career Center does have a policy statement on diversity, which states:
“We engage with our employer partners to help them develop best practices for successfully hiring our diverse student populations.”
At least one faculty member has filed a complaint against today’s CML protest with the Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards. Time will tell whether Cornell will take effective steps to protect students attempting to build their careers.
