After days of negotiations between McMaster University and the students who set up a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus, the school now says it will consider making changes to meet some of the demands, but only after protesters pack up their tents and leave.
Encampment organizers are not happy with the proposal from the university, saying they do not plan to go anywhere until their demands are met.
Protesters set up tents on the Burke Science Building lawn more than 11 days ago, demanding the university end financial investments and academic collaborations with Israel.
The two sides have been in negotiations for several days, which both said have been “productive.”
READ MORE: Students gather to support pro-Palestinian encampment at McMaster on Nakba Day
McMaster presented the encampment with an “action plan” on Thursday, which protesters say is nearly identical to a statement posted online from the school.
It says McMaster maintains the rights of faculty to pursue their academic and research interests, and that students can continue to pursue co-op programs where they choose.
“The university’s total investment pool is not funded through tuition and includes less than one-tenth of one per cent from companies identified by the movement for divestment,” the statement read.
The school says after the encampment ends, officials will arrange a meeting with the chief financial officer to share more information about McMaster’s investment strategy, and consider increasing transparency.
READ MORE: Students launch pro-Palestinian protest at McMaster University
“The president recently released a statement, one that they are portraying as an offer, which provides no real commitment and continues to ignore the students’ demands,” a protest organizer said, withholding their name citing safety concerns.
“We want to make it very clear. We will continue to push until all our demands are met, and we will stay here until all our demands are met.
Given the stance on the proposal, it is unclear how negotiations between the university and the protestors are going to move forward.
McMaster officials have declined several requests for an in-person interview.