That motion, the ASMSU bill argues, failed to mention the role of "social conscience" in university investments — something that Muslim Student Association Rep. Abdul Mohi, who introduced the bill, said violates the board's ethical obligations and walks back on a prior agreement. 

The bill states that at a July 2024 meeting between student representatives and administrators, which included President Kevin Guskiewicz and Trustee Sandy Pierce, attendees discussed revisions to MSU's investment policy, BOT 607. According to the bill, "it was agreed upon that the 2024 review of BOT 607 would generate a definition of 'social conscience.'"

But the board's newly revised policy has no reference to or definition of "social conscience." This, bill 61-53 argues, is a direct violation of the Board of Trustees Code of Ethics and Conduct Standard 1.

Board Chair Kelly Tebay, who was in attendance at the ASMSU meeting, said that detail was removed from the policy revisions because “social conscience” is subjective. 

“It means different things to different people,” Tebay said.

Mohi said this development, alongside a lack of acknowledging previous bills passed by ASMSU regarding divestment, led to the vote of no confidence.

Previously, the undergraduate student government has passed bills advocating for divestment and calling upon the university to address the war in Gaza and support affected students. 

Mohi said that despite those passing, "the board has remained unresponsive."  

James Madison College Rep. Abe Jaafar, who seconded the bill, said the university’s stance of neutrality on the war in Gaza has alienated Arab, Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) and Muslim students. 

“Silence on Gaza is a stance, silencing activists on campus is a stance on genocide,” Jaafar said. “We call on the university to divest and hold the Board of Trustees accountable.”

But Jewish Student Union Rep. Zach Nessel pushed back on the proposed bill, saying it is important to recognize the impact the bill would have on the Jewish community at MSU.

“We understand the need to stand in solidarity with those affected by the war in the Middle East, and with a ceasefire close to completion, we believe this bill is only being presented due to the changing nature of the war,” Nessel said. “We believe this bill is being used as an opportunity to attack the Jewish community one more time before it becomes unacceptable to do so.”

The bill also repeats ASMSU's calls for MSU to divest from a list of entities including "weapons manufacturers," "investments firms and banks investing in weapons manufacturers" and "the state of Israel."

Nessel proposed an amendment that would remove Israel from the list, saying it did not belong in a bill advocating for a vote of no confidence against the board.

Mohi disagreed, as he said removing the phrase would make the bill lose its significance, as MSU is invested in aid towards Israel. 

The bill passed with 19 in favor, one against and six abstentions.