Soon, the Campus Referendum will open, inviting all University Citizens – students, academic faculty, and administrative staff – to vote In Favor or Against the Assembly Framework...
Preamble
Whereas Tel Aviv University is committed to the values of Liberty – the right to independent thought, creative expression, and collective association;
To the values of Freedom – for reasoned choice between good and evil, for taking responsibility, and for action;
And above all, to the value of Truth – for the pursuit of information, the creation of knowledge, the cultivation of wisdom, and the clarification of opinion.
Whereas the University is a communal institution belonging to all its "citizens": students, academic and administrative staff, and all campus employees;
A Public Institution – established by the public, funded by them, and for their sake, and thus bearing responsibility toward the people and the nation;
And a Collaborative Institution – where fateful decisions ought to be made by its citizens.
Whereas at a crossroads, every conscious move – whether through action or omission – is a choice;
In moments of fateful crisis, silence is consent;
And these are "Moments of Truth," in every sense: times that demand we clarify the truth to make better decisions.
Therefore –
The University bears a spiritual, moral, and practical role as a social trustee for the country’s citizens. It has launched a first–of–its–kind global initiative, the "Direct & Decisive" project. Through this, we, the citizens of the campus, make our voices heard: mobilizing to choose a central issue for deliberation, discussing it in depth within a Student Assembly, drafting a resolution, and bringing it to a vote in a campus–wide referendum.
In this framework, the campus chose to address the appropriate response to a Constitutional Crisis. Following extensive deliberations, the Assembly proposes adopting a Graduated Institutional Action Model to respond to a severe constitutional crisis – a response that expresses the sovereignty of the campus public, backed by professional knowledge, while maintaining proportionality and protecting minority rights. Below is the framework of the proposal now standing for a campus vote (the accompanying document details the Assembly’s recommendations for implementation; these recommendations are non–binding).
1. "The Nation and Ivory Tower"
The University strives to prevent a descent into constitutional crisis and will therefore launch a new civic project bridging the "Nation" and the academic "Ivory Tower." This project aims to promote informed and open social discourse to help mitigate and resolve destructive tensions. This is a gradual, integrated move that will begin immediately upon approval of the referendum as "preventative care," to be amplified in case of emergency. The "Nation and Ivory Tower" project is a civic–academic initiative to strengthen the bond between the University and Israeli society, operating through four parallel channels:
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The Age of Reason ("Et HaDa'at"): A digital platform for making objective knowledge accessible.
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Tel Agora: A dedicated physical space on campus for open public deliberations.
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Common Decency ("Derech Eretz"): Proactive outreach for dialogue sessions with the general public.
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The Democracy Generation ("Dor HaDemokratia"): Educational activity in schools to instill democratic skills.
2. Identifying a Constitutional Crisis ("Touching the Perimeter")
An emergency protocol will be activated if two cumulative (not alternative) conditions are met:
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Institutional Endorsement: At least two of the five foundational university organizations (Student Union, Senior Faculty, Junior Faculty, Staff Union, and the Senate) declare the situation a "constitutional crisis."
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Public Support: At least 500 University Citizens (students, faculty, staff) confirm via vote that Israel is indeed in a constitutional crisis. For this purpose, the University will build a dedicated online system in advance.
If both conditions are met, a two–stage emergency protocol (totaling 72 hours) will begin:
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Expert Phase (48 hours): Experts in law, political science, and philosophy (selected by lottery or a mechanism ensuring diverse views) will draft two brief position papers of equal length – pro and con.
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Campus Referendum (24 hours): A digital vote for all University Citizens. An extension to 48 hours may be considered to ensure broad participation.
3. The Escalation Ladder
Instead of an "immediate total strike," the Assembly formulated a model of graduated escalation:
Phase A – Warning Strike (48 hours)
If a majority in the referendum (as described above), with a quorum of at least 1,000 participants, votes "In Favor," a 48–hour warning strike will be declared. Simultaneously, "Nation and Ivory Tower" activities will be amplified.
Mechanisms will be established to ensure no significant academic or administrative harm to those who choose not to strike, and the right of opponents to maintain their routine as much as possible will be preserved. Essential services (e.g., clinics and psychological services) will remain operational.
Phase B – Situation Assessment and Escalation to Full Strike
One week after the declaration of the warning strike, another campus–wide referendum will be held to examine further steps. This mechanism is designed to renew and validate the mandate every week. If the situation remains unchanged and the referendum receives support (with a participation threshold of 2,500 voters), the strike will become full and indefinite – contingent upon weekly renewal (at a 2,500 quorum).
4. Harm Mitigation Mechanisms
To ensure the move is proportional, effective, and sustainable, the University will act to reduce potential harm to opponents, minorities, and vulnerable populations:
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Advance Notice: Provided before transitioning to a strike phase, as circumstances permit.
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Exemption of Essential Services: (Legal/psychological clinics, basic student support).
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Academic Amnesty: A policy of "no–harm" including attendance exemptions and automatic extensions for participants in civic activity, subject to a defined framework.
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Support Systems: Legal, logistical, and mental health assistance for protest participants (e.g., through dedicated clinics/funds).
In Favor? Against? The choice is yours!
*Clarification: This proposal reflects the framework decided upon by the Student Assembly (within the course "Direct & Decisive: Building Democracy on Campus"). The proposal is non–binding and will be put to a campus–wide referendum. The results will be presented to the University Management.
