Current debates regarding the University’s choices of investment allocations are a powerful reminder that we, as students, are not merely part of an academic institution, but part of a business as well. On a daily basis we are relatively ignorant of these business transactions. However, as involved individuals and student groups have recently pointed out, investment details are accessible online to any member of the University community at:
http://www.wesleyan.edu/treasurer/proxy
Most prominently, concerns for “socially responsible investment” have received renewed focus through efforts on the part of Students for Ending the War in Iraq (SEWI). This past week, SEWI collaborated with the WSA in producing and passing a resolution denouncing any investments in weapons manufacturers involved in the war in Iraq, until the end of U.S. military involvement in Iraq. But hold on. SEWI speaks for SEWI but the WSA speaks for the entire student body. At what point did the student body come to the decision to divest?
We are not disputing the atrocities taking place in Iraq or indicting the WSA’s resolution. But clearly there are a plethora of complexities at stake in making profitable and socially responsible investments, and as the issue stands, it is not a campus debate. It is an expression of one group’s opinion standing in for greater student representation.
Admittedly, there is only so much impact that a student resolution will have on University policies. But if the issue of divestment presents a serious issue to a large number of students—significant enough to warrant a WSA resolution—the student body deserves an opportunity to express its opinions. Simply because SEWI is vocal and persistent enough to garner WSA attention does not make one group’s mission a student-wide concern. If we are to present a stance to the administration, let it at least be accurately representative of the majority.
While acknowledging the petition signatures SEWI gathered in support of the divestment movement, this does not replace the value of hearing informative arguments for both sides of the issue. And if the issue of divestment is a significant dilemma to students, then an online referendum would more truthfully reflect student opinion. Without student consent, whom does a resolution really speak for?
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