Students Call for Change
The Student Government Association at the University of Maryland has urged university officials to rename five rooms associated with U.S. defense contractors accused of contributing to what they describe as “genocide in Gaza.”
On Wednesday, the student legislature voted 18-1-1 in favor of a resolution demanding new names for the Lockheed Martin Room, Lockheed Martin Partnership Suite, Lockheed Martin Lounge, BAE Systems Lab, and Leidos Lab.
This largely symbolic resolution requests that the College Park campus rename these facilities because Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems, and Leidos have provided weapons used by the Israel Defense Forces in actions deemed as “war crimes” against Hamas.
The resolution emphasizes that the University of Maryland should ensure that facility names reflect its history and values while promoting excellence in teaching and research within an inclusive environment.
As of Friday, the Student Government Association reported that there had been no response from university administrators regarding their request.
Louis Mancuso, SGA chief of staff and a sophomore accounting major, noted in an email that while SGA resolutions are advisory, they express the desires of the student body and encourage university leadership to take action.
A spokesperson for the University of Maryland stated that there is no obligation for the institution to act on such resolutions. Rebecca Aloisi, senior director of university communications, clarified that these resolutions represent only the perspectives of voting SGA members and do not influence university policy.
The three companies mentioned have contributed millions to support STEM programs at the university. Lockheed Martin emphasized its commitment to strengthening STEM education while respecting peaceful protest rights.
A wave of pro-Palestinian protests across universities has called for institutions to sever ties with Israel following its military response to a Hamas raid on October 7, 2023.
<pin a letter shared with university officials, the SGA highlighted that 55% of students who participated in an April election supported divesting from companies involved in human rights violations.
This recent resolution follows earlier demands for divestment from all entities supporting or profiting from what students describe as Israel’s regime of apartheid and occupation.
The targeted rooms are primarily located within the engineering school, with one situated in the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.
The actions taken by student government have drawn mixed reactions from Jewish and Muslim advocates. Susan Tuchman from the Zionist Organization criticized it as harmful targeting based on misinformation. In contrast, Zainab Chaudry from CAIR praised it as indicative of a broader shift toward activism against human rights violations on campuses nationwide.
