The referendum was placed on DePaul’s Student Government Association’s annual officer election ballot at the request of members of DePaul Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP). SJP expressed concern in November about allegations involving a parent company of Sabra brand hummus, which is served in DePaul’s cafeterias.

The vote is non-binding because under DePaul’s policy, decisions on such issues are solely determined by the university’s administration based on research conducted by the university’s Fair Business Practices Committee, to which the issue was referred in the fall. The 14-member committee—consisting of three students, three faculty members and eight staff representatives—continues to research the issue, and their inquiry includes gathering input from students on both sides of the issue. They are expected to make a recommendation to the administration soon.

The committee is designed to protect the integrity of the university's mission and values by examining issues raised concerning DePaul's contracts and contractors.