Mac for Palestine Proposal Portal
Contact
Board of TrusteesWeyerhaeuser Hall 206
62 Macalester Street
St. Paul, MN 55105-1899
651-696-6207
651-696-6500 (fax)
Updated November 21, 2024
The Board of Trustees has voted not to adopt the student 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 carefully considered the diverse range of passionate views, both strongly for and against the proposal, and made clear they vehemently stand against the violence in the Middle East. They also remarked on the thoughtful and respectful ways in which students, faculty, staff, alumni, and parents expressed their opinions. A common theme that the Board said emerged from this 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.
view the report: Board of Trustees Response to Mac for Palestine Student Divestment Proposal
Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Trustees
The Ad Hoc Committee of the Board of Trustees was appointed by Board Chair Carrie Norbin Killoran ’94 after the Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) submitted a report to President Rivera recommending that she forward the Mac for Palestine proposal to the Board of Trustees for consideration.
Members of the Ad Hoc Committee include: Decker Anstrom ’72 (Chair), Karen Brasel ’87, Liz Hume ’92, Seth Levine ’94, Sonny Lulla ’93, Tyler Robinson ’93, Greg Thompson ’84, and Zia Yusuf ’91.
Updates from the Ad Hoc Committee:
October 25, 2024 – Mac Daily
October 1, 2024 – Mac Daily
September 19, 2024 – Mac Wire
September 6, 2024 – Mac Daily
Social Responsibility Committee Reports and Mac for Palestine Student Proposals
The Social Responsibility Committee (SRC) is an ad hoc committee that is convened by the President when a member of the Macalester community, or group of members, believes that divestment from, or prohibiting, specific investment vehicles is warranted. The SRC’s work is guided by this Board policy and process.
In April of 2024, President Rivera appointed an SRC for purposes of reviewing a proposal put forth by the Mac for Palestine student organization that involved two points for consideration: one regarding the endowment assets and one regarding the college’s list of approved institutions for study-away.
On June 5, President Rivera received the SRC’s report on the student proposal regarding divestment of endowment assets. The SRC recommended that the proposal be forwarded to the Board of Trustees for consideration. A Board Ad Hoc Committee is reviewing the proposal.
On June 24, President Rivera received the SRC’s report on the student proposal regarding approved institutions for study away. The SRC declined to recommend that the proposal regarding approved institutions for study away be forwarded to the Board of Trustees, reasoning that these matters do not fall under the purview of the Board.