Georgetown University students overwhelmingly voted this week for a tuition hike, which would pay reparations to the descendants of slaves.
Over 66 percent of students who voted Thursday on a Georgetown University Student Association referendum favored a $27.20 semester fee to make amends for slaves owned by Jesuits in the 1830s.
A final decision on the nonbinding resolution rests with the university’s leadership.
“The results of the referendum are as follows: 66.08% for yes (2541 votes), 33.92% for no (1304 votes). This means that the referendum passes,” GUSA Elections tweeted Thursday.
Todd Olson, vice president for student affairs, said in a statement that students were adopting one of many ways to respond to “legacies of slavery.”
“This student referendum provides valuable insight into student perspectives and will help guide our continued engagement with students, faculty and staff, members of the Descendant community, and the Society of Jesus,” Mr. Olson said, the Washington Examiner reported Friday.
The 272 slaves in question were sold in 1838 to keep the university open, the Examiner reported.
