Student groups call for more transparency in endowment
By: Maya Pisel
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: News
This fall, the new student organization Mac Students United for Palestinian Equal Rights or SUPER, began spearheading a discussion about whether it is socially responsible for Macalester to invest in companies that support Israeli military operations.
The Israel divestment issue is part of a broader student movement calling for more transparency and responsibility in Macalester's endowment investments.
Dean of Students Laurie Hamre said the students lobbying the Social Responsibility Committe SRC fall into three general categories: "[Some] have some specific interest in divestment from any companies that might support Israel military operations. Then there are some other students who I think are interested in the endowment supporting more sustainable initiatives. And then I think there's a third group that just wants to have a sense that students can have more knowledge about what our investments are so that they can make sure that Macalester is being socially responsible," Hamre said.
"Palestinians have put out an international call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions." SUPER member Sarah Levy '12 said. "This means that they think it is up to other countries to stop Israel's military occupation of their land. This is because Israel is dependent on other countries-mainly the U.S.-to get the funds and military supplies it needs in order to continue its illegal occupation," Levy said.
"As long as Macalester has money in corporations such as Caterpillar, ITT Corporation, Motorola, United Technologies, and General Electric…we are indirectly helping support the occupation and aiding a humanitarian catastrophe," she said.
SUPER formally expressed these concerns Tuesday in a presentation before the SRC.
The recent discussions continue a history of looking at Macalester's endowment from an ethical point of view. The SRC-a committee of students, staff, faculty and a board member, was founded in the 1980s to deal with divestment from apartheid South Africa.
The Israel divestment issue is part of a broader student movement calling for more transparency and responsibility in Macalester's endowment investments.
Dean of Students Laurie Hamre said the students lobbying the Social Responsibility Committe SRC fall into three general categories: "[Some] have some specific interest in divestment from any companies that might support Israel military operations. Then there are some other students who I think are interested in the endowment supporting more sustainable initiatives. And then I think there's a third group that just wants to have a sense that students can have more knowledge about what our investments are so that they can make sure that Macalester is being socially responsible," Hamre said.
"Palestinians have put out an international call for boycott, divestment, and sanctions." SUPER member Sarah Levy '12 said. "This means that they think it is up to other countries to stop Israel's military occupation of their land. This is because Israel is dependent on other countries-mainly the U.S.-to get the funds and military supplies it needs in order to continue its illegal occupation," Levy said.
"As long as Macalester has money in corporations such as Caterpillar, ITT Corporation, Motorola, United Technologies, and General Electric…we are indirectly helping support the occupation and aiding a humanitarian catastrophe," she said.
SUPER formally expressed these concerns Tuesday in a presentation before the SRC.
The recent discussions continue a history of looking at Macalester's endowment from an ethical point of view. The SRC-a committee of students, staff, faculty and a board member, was founded in the 1980s to deal with divestment from apartheid South Africa.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 3
Paul Maccabee
Paul Maccabee
posted 11/20/09 @ 11:19 AM CST
As a Mac alumnus involved in human rights causes, I'm saddened by the thinly-concealed hypocrisy of the Mac Students United For Palestinian Equal Rights (SUPER)'s call for a boycott of companies that support the Jewish state's efforts to defend themselves against Palestinian terror attacks. (Continued…)
ira
posted 11/21/09 @ 2:34 AM CST
Actually, let me amend my above comment:
As a Mac alumnus involved in human rights causes, I'm saddened by Paul's thinly-concealed hypocrisy. This is not simply about antagonisms against Judaism or Islam, as both religions produce adherents with significant flaws. (Continued…)
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