With the success of the SPME Statement of Solidarity with Israeli Academics by 11,000 colleagues 33 Nobel Laureates and 56 College Presidents from 1000 campuses worldwide, the endorsement of Columbia University President Lee Bollinger’s anti-boycott statement by over 300 college and university presidents and the Elie Weisel Foundation For Humanity’s anti-boycott statement signed by by 51 Nobel Laureates, a very clear message has been sent to the academic world that academic and professional boycotts are not to be used to advance political agendas and that those advancing such are clearly isolating themselves from their academic and professional communities.

However the battle is not over and so SPME is asking each of its 19,000 plus network members to work within their 1000 institutions to get their faculty senates and governance structions, presidents and administrators to develop strong anti-boycott policies and statements. Furthermore, we are asking that grass-r00ts faculty members go to their academic societies to develop such policies and statements.

As the academic year starts, please share with us your successes and challenges in doing this. We are beginning to learn of a number of colleges and universities in the Philadelphia area where this matter will be on the table in faculty senate meetings in the fall. When we get details, we will publish it. We are also hearing that a number of academic and professional societies have spent the summer working on such policies and statements. It is important that we report these for all to see and be empowered to go to our own disciplines. Please share what is happening at your institution and academic or professional society with us at

Thank you.