‘315 Students 4 Liberation’ Celebrates Review of College Investments  Student Calls Lead to Positive Response from SUNY ESF Administration

• by Urban CNY News
• May 7, 2024

Syracuse, NY – 315 Students 4 Liberation, a student group at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY ESF), applauds the SUNY ESF College Foundation for completing a review of its investment holdings. The Foundation has disclosed that it holds no direct investments in weapons manufacturers. The College Foundation Board of Trustees is also in the process of reviewing the College’s investment policy with the goal of creating guidelines for evaluating future divestment requests.  The College Foundation’s actions came in response to a student request and take place in the midst of a nationwide student-led movement to pressure university administrations to divest from war. On October 25, 2023, SUNY ESF students organized a walkout to demand that their university divest from weapons manufacturers that arm the ongoing genocide in Gaza. That day, SUNY ESF President Joanie Mahoney spoke before members of the student body and stated that the university would investigate the College Foundation’s financial ties to weapons manufacturers.  “I know we divested from fossil fuels in much the same way, and we will add weapons to that list,” said President Mahoney. Following this event, the 315 Students 4 Liberation group formed to work with the university to address these concerns. The group has also hosted campus educational events about the ongoing genocide in Gaza and its historical roots.  The student organization approached the College Foundation with concerns about university investments in companies that contribute to grave human rights violations, violations of international humanitarian law, and war crimes. This includes companies among the top 100 U.S. Department of Defense contractors and companies that develop, manufacture, license, or sell any form of weaponry. The College Foundation engaged in open dialogue and listened to student concerns, showing a willingness to provide space and opportunity for students to express their views.  Upon reviewing their investment portfolio, including indirect investments, the SUNY ESF College Foundation found that their holdings in these companies fell below a “de minimis level.” This minimal exposure to weapons reflects changes made to the College’s investment policy as part of previous action taken to divest from fossil fuels. The College’s current minimal holdings in weapons manufacturers highlights the disproportionate carbon impacts of these companies.   Emily Jones, a student with 315 Students 4 Liberation said, “Not only are these companies misaligned with SUNY ESF’s mission to ‘act both locally and globally to improve our world,’ they are contributing disproportionately to the climate crisis. I see limiting indirect investments in these companies as an essential part of SUNY ESF Fossil Fuel Divestment commitments.” Addie Mehl, president of 315 Students 4 Liberation says, “We are excited and grateful to continue collaborating with our administration to ensure that ESF isn’t invested in weapons development.”