Civil rights group cites measure is evidence that student activism on campuses is flourishing
The Maryland office of the Council on American–Islamic Relations (CAIR) today welcomed an almost unanimous vote by the University of Maryland’s Student Government Association (SGA) to pass a resolution urging the university to rename rooms in the College of Engineering and the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences that bear the names of certain U.S. defense and military contractors and weapons manufacturers linked to Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
The measure, which passed 18-1-1, urges the deans of both schools and the vice president of university relations to rename the Lockheed Martin Room, Lockheed Martin Partnership Suite, Lockheed Martin Lounge, BAE Systems Lab and Leidos Lab.
The resolution states that Lockheed Martin, BAE Systems and Leidos have all supplied weapons to the Israel Defense Forces that have been used to commit a genocide in Gaza.
SEE: UMD SGA to ask university to rename rooms titled after US defense, military companies
In a statement, CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry said:
“We commend the students who engaged in this process, for their courage and moral clarity. In an era where institutions of higher education are increasingly challenged to examine whose names and legacies they uplift, this resolution reflects an unwavering commitment to values of justice, human dignity, and accountability.
“CAIR recognizes that campus naming is not merely symbolic. It signals what an institution values, and what messages it sends to students, faculty, staff, and the broader community. When a space honors a name associated with corporations engaged in weapons production or the supply of armaments that have been used in devastating crimes against humanity, the choice affects the moral climate of the campus and the sense of belonging of especially students whose communities have been directly impacted by these crimes.
“The passage of this resolution at UMD reflects a broader shift taking place on campuses nationwide. It’s proof that despite emphatic government and administrative repression and retaliation against students, campus activism has not been silenced following the forced dismantling of several encampments. Instead, student organizing is evolving in a strategic and institutionally impactful way.
“Students are doing their research, working within governance structures, and pushing for reforms that force universities to confront the ethical implications of their partnerships and naming choices.
“They are demanding that publicly funded universities uphold their stated values. Administrators cannot claim to promote human rights, global citizenship and moral leadership while simultaneously amplifying and celebrating corporations perpetuating mass civilian casualties and catastrophic violence.
“The students have spoken. Now, we urge the University of Maryland administration and the relevant college deans to respond positively and promptly to the SGA’s request. We call on them to enter into a transparent process, including input from impacted student communities and faculty, to identify new names that reflect the values of equity, inclusion, and academic integrity. We look forward to seeing a university response that lives up to the promise of this resolution.”
CAIR stated that renaming these spaces offers more than a change of signage; it presents a meaningful opportunity for the University of Maryland to affirm its commitment to a campus environment in which diverse students can feel respected, empowered, and safe to learn and grow.
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CONTACT: CAIR Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com