Status of Mac for Palestine Divestment Proposal

On March 29, I received two proposals from students representing the group Mac for Palestine. The proposals call for the college to divest its endowment assets from eleven companies and to remove two universities from the list of approved study-away sites.

Upon receipt of the proposals, I empaneled a Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) and asked the members, per our Guidelines for Investor Responsibility, to review them and make a recommendation on next steps.  This process was announced in Mac Daily. 

The SRC has submitted a report on the divestment proposal, which recommends that I forward the proposal to the Board for consideration. I reviewed the SRC’s report, and have determined there is sufficient basis for Trustee review. Our Board Chair is prepared to appoint an ad hoc committee of the Board to review the proposal without delay.

The SRC has not yet concluded its review of the proposal related to the list of approved study-away sites. Their work on the second proposal will continue and it is anticipated that they will make a determination before the deadline of July 1.

To review the two proposals and the first SRC report, please visit the Mac for Palestine proposal portal.

Many thanks to the members of the SRC for the care and thoughtfulness they have brought to this important work. I deeply appreciate that our deliberative review process upholds the college’s commitments to both student activism and shared governance.

I welcome any questions. 

June 10, 2024