BU Today
After a protracted deliberation that spanned two meetings of the
Board of Trustees, the Board’s Executive Committee has decided not to
adopt a recommendation from the Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing (ACSRI) that the University divest from civilian firearms manufacturers.
Robert Knox (CAS’74, GSM’75), chair of the Board of Trustees and of
the Executive Committee, described the deliberation as “a big sprawling
discussion that reflected a full spectrum of opinions.” When the Board
did not find the “overwhelming consensus” required to support the
proposal, the issue was referred to the Board’s 14-member Executive
Committee, which determined that it should not be adopted.
The recommendation that “Boston University will prohibit new and
divest of any existing direct investments in civilian firearm
manufacturers until, in the University’s judgment, a level of state
and/or federal regulatory control over firearm sale and/or ownership is
achieved that merits repeal of this policy” is the first proposal to the
Board from the ACSRI, which was established two years ago as an
interface between the BU community and the Board of Trustees. The
trustees first discussed divestment from gun manufacturers in the wake
of the shooting of 20 schoolchildren and 6 adults at the Sandy Hook
Elementary School in Connecticut in December 2012, before the ACSRI has
been established. The issue was brought to the Board by the ACSRI in May
of last year, and was the subject of comprehensive debate at Board
meetings in September and December.
Wait till a few wealthy liberal alumni learn about this. Donations will plummet and the board will reconsider.
Debate Magazine
