by Mary Schellentrager, Divestment Campaign Coordinator, Energy Action Coalition
Last Saturday nearly 200 Swarthmore students, alumni, faculty, and staff allies entered the open Board of Managers meeting to deliver a statement: We will no longer tolerate business as usual.
What arose was a powerful collection of voices calling for greater administrative accountability, student access to decision-making structures, and transparency within board business. Students shared stories of being intimidated, silenced, and disempowered in spaces across campus. This student-controlled forum challenged the long-standing power differential within these spaces and provided a platform to elevate a chorus of student voices.
by Mary Schellentrager, Divestment Campaign Coordinator, Energy Action Coalition
Happy Fossil Fools Day! Unfortunately, none of these three colleges have agreed to take sensible steps towards divesting or responsible investment... yet. Want to shine light on your campus' commitment to divestment, or lack thereof Email exposethedirtytruth@gmail.com
Divestment momentum explodes today as THREE universities, Columbia University, Swarthmore College, and Bowdoin College, all announce plans to divest and Bowdoin pledges to take further steps on responsible investment.
After a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees’ Columbia University has decided that investments in fossil fuels anathema to the institution’s mission and sustainability plan. Bowdoin College, one of the nation’s most prestigious liberal arts colleges, has announced that they will soon be releasing a plan to that will make their $900 million endowment the most responsible and sustainable in the country. Swarthmore College’s newspaper reported on their divestment.
On campuses nationwide, thousands of students have returned from winter break with greater passion and determination to win. They are holding teach-ins, winning endorsements, rallying, and petitioning their Trustees with unparalleled momentum - and the national media is taking notice.
