STUDENTS at the University have the opportunity to make a concrete impact on the government of Sudan's ability to commit genocide. Last week, Students Taking Action Now: Darfur, Hillel Public Policy Institute, the International Relations Organization and the University Democrats co-sponsored a meeting to discuss the current situation in Sudan. STAND gave a presentation on the gravity of the escalating violence in the region, which was followed by a talk by History Prof. John Mason and Sociology Prof. Justin Holcomb about the world reaction to genocide. As was hashed out several times during the evening, students feel powerless in the face of such depravity. While raising awareness of the conflict is important, few students feel as though they can make a real impact to end genocide.
However, the students of STAND have put forth an opportunityfor students at the University to impact the situation. A referendum, which will appear on the fall ballot proposes that the University divest from all multinational corporations which do business with the government of Sudan. By approving this referendum, students could persuade the University to join the nationwide divestment effort, placing pressure on the government of Sudan which relies heavily on foreign revenue to purchase weapons that it uses to carry out genocide.
Divestment boycotts the Sudanese government, cutting off foreign revenue which it uses to buy "high-end military weapons," according to the Genocide Action Fund. Paul Novick, co-chair of divestment for STAND, explained in an e-mail that "corporations are giving this murderous regime direct cash." Novick acknowledged that he is still researching which corporations the University invests in, to find out whether any do business with the Sudanese government. University spokesperson Carol Wood could not provide a definitive answer by press time. If it is discovered that the University does invest in "revenue enhancement" corporations, by divesting, the University would be severing foreign revenue used by the Sudanese government and ensuring that our endowment is not being used to fund genocide in Darfur.
Other universities, and even states, are following suit. According to the Statesman-Journal from Salem, Oregon unanimously passed legislation in July directing the state treasurer to "remove all investments with the state of Sudan and in companies that do business with that government." New Jersey and Illinois have enacted similar measures. According to Novick, several universities, such as Harvard and Stanford, have already divested. Other Virginia schools, such as William and Mary and Mary Washington, are launching similar campaigns.
Jessie Miller, co-president of STAND, in an e-mail expressed her belief that "our government has declared genocide in Darfur and all sources report that it is the government of Sudan perpetrating these crimes against humanity
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