SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Chanting in celebration at Sacramento State University, those within the University for Gaza Encampment like Farah, who asked that Spectrum News only use her first name, herald what she described as a momentous moment: getting the university to agree to divest from any Israel-tied investments.

“The encampment danced to traditional and revolutionary Palestinian songs, shared words of gratitude,” Farah said.

Sacramento State University said they were pleased to have reached a resolution with the issue at the heart of the protest. Additionally, the university foundation accounts have no direct investments in any of the areas of concern that have been raised by protesters, according to the school.

The university on Tuesday night updated some of its policies, writing it directs its financial support arm, to investigate socially responsible investment strategies which include not having direct investments in corporations and funds that profit from genocide, ethnic cleansing and activities that violate fundamental human rights.

As far as any action on funds coming from donors or federal grants, the protest group said they are still working through all the details, but they will expect all funds to be scrutinized.

“They cannot have direct and indirect investments,” Farah said.

The strategy to force divestment is one that has long been used by protesters.

A widely recognized achievement in this strategy was in the 80s against South Africa and apartheid.

Someone who was part of those protests as a student — and who now serves as the dean of education at USC — Pedro Noguera, said now the real work for students begins, because divesting in the modern day isn’t easy for large entities.

“Many businesses have holdings in Israel or are investing in companies that do business with Israel,” Noguera. “It’s hard to, you know, to find any investment that you can say. This is totally clean. This is something that we went to that matches our values.”

Farah adds that other campuses should look to Sac State’s handling of the protest, reiterating they are willing to do what’s necessary to fight for peace.

“Our administration paved the way,” Farah said. “There should be no excuse for all the other campuses.”