The Oberlin College Board of Trustees will vote on a Student-Initiated Proposal for Divestment in June 2024. 

Israeli forces are waging an indiscriminate and relentless attack on the Gaza Strip. This constitutes a murderous escalation of the occupation that has subjected Palestine’s population to inhumane living conditions over the past century. The most recent escalation has been identified as plausible genocide by the International Court of Justice.

As it stands, donations and tuition paid to Oberlin contribute to the maintenance of an endowment that holds investments in companies that both profit from and contribute to Israel's violent attack on Palestine, as head trustee Chris Canavan admitted in a meeting with students, even as he has refused to identify specific holdings. What this means is that our tuition and donations are funding genocide.

Oberlin’s policy asserts that “In accordance with Oberlin’s history of action in response to ‘instances of human suffering, natural calamity, and injustice,’ the Board will consider proposals for divestment from entities that contribute to activities that ‘shock the conscience.’” In a recent referendum, 94% of student votes were in favor of divestment. 67% of American voters support a permanent ceasefire.

If Oberlin wishes to maintain its "distinguished place among American colleges and universities," it should hear its students' calls for divestment.

The following alumni and parents, as financial stakeholders in this institution, urge the Board of Trustees to vote “yes” on the students’ Proposal for Divestment from Companies that Facilitate the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.