Board Decision on Student Divestment Proposal

I am writing to inform you that the Board of Trustees has made its decision on the divestment proposal that was made by the student group Mac for Palestine and reviewed by a campus Social Responsibility Committee. The Board’s vote was taken following an ad hoc Board committee’s deep consideration of the divestment proposal and extensive community feedback.

The Board of Trustees voted unanimously not to adopt the divestment proposal and instead has approved a series of institutional investments in peacemaking and conflict resolution. In addition, the Board has committed to increasing transparency in the management of the college endowment.

In their report, Trustees said they vehemently stand against the violence in the Middle East.

The Board carefully considered the diverse range of passionate views about the student proposal, and appreciated the thoughtful and respectful ways in which students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents expressed their opinions—both for and against. A common theme that the Board said emerged from this feedback process was a strong desire for peace. While the Trustees understood the concerns raised by the student proposal, they chose instead to make new commitments that will help Macalester provide more opportunities to engage in peacemaking.  

The new investment actions approved by the Board include:

• Allocation of $1 million of unrestricted endowment funds specifically for scholarship aid for admitted students from violent conflict areas, with an initial focus on Palestinian students from areas of conflict, including the Middle East.
• Allocation of $250,000 from the college’s unrestricted reserves to create an endowed fund that supports in perpetuity two students to participate in summer internships at peacemaking organizations.
• Allocation of $100,000 from the college’s unrestricted reserves to endow in perpetuity a Faculty Fellowship in Peace and Conflict Studies.
• Allocation of $100,000 from the college’s unrestricted reserves to endow in perpetuity an annual “Pathways to Peace” lecture or event.
• Creation of an endowed fund of at least $50,000 with contributions from Board members combined with an equivalent match from the college to support initiatives aimed at fostering understanding and peaceful dialogue. 
• Creation of a fund with Board contributions of up to $50,000 that would match student fundraising in support of non-profit organizations providing relief in areas of violent conflict. 

The report, including recommendations from the ad hoc committee that were approved unanimously by the full Board, is available on the Mac for Palestine Proposal Portal on the Board of Trustees website.

I wish to offer my sincere thanks to the students who wrote the proposal, the members of the Social Responsibility Committee (SRC), and all members of the Macalester community who shared their views on the proposal in writing and in listening sessions.

November 21, 2024