When it comes to the issue of divestment, it looks like Brown is taking a cue from Harvard.

Mark Reynolds of The Providence Journal reports.

Brown University Corp. won’t divest from companies using coal for electricity

The corporation of Brown University will try to address the issue of climate change through teaching, research and university sustainability rather than divesting from companies involved in the mining or use of coal for electricity generation.

The corporation decided against divesting from coal at its meeting on Saturday, according to a news release from the university.

Saturday’s determination came after a lengthy and deliberative process that included substantial input from several University committees, the campus community, and months of discussion and deliberation, says the release.

In a letter to the Brown community, Brown President Christina Paxson wrote that divestment is “not the right tool for achieving the societal goals to which we all aspire.”

The Corporation took up the question of divestment in response to Brown Divest Coal, a student-led group.

“I’m deeply disappointed in our administration.” said Brown freshman Ruby Goldberg, in a news release Sunday. “The board completely ignored the voices of Brown’s community, and of the endowment oversight committee. This could have been a moment for Brown to step up as a leader in the fight against climate change. Instead, the Administration chose to continue supporting an industry that profits from wreaking havoc on front-line communities and destroying our chance for a sustainable future.”


 
 0 
 
 0