In 1991, the Swarthmore Board of Managers made a savvy, prescient decision to insulate the college’s endowment fund from political, religious, and ideological bias. They endeavored to “yield the best long-term financial results, rather than to pursue other social objectives”.

This decision has served the community well for nearly 30 years. These guidelines have ensured that all donations received are invested responsibly, not used to make political statements or become a flashpoint in the ongoing culture wars.

Now, a few fringe activists are seeking to repeal the divestment ban. This comes after these activists recently called on the student government to support the antisemitic Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions movement. These BDS supporters deny Israel’s right to exist and oppose a two-state solution to the Israel-Palestinian conflict. They want Swarthmore to take a stand on an extremely polarizing foreign policy issue that has little relevance to a small liberal arts college outside Philadelphia. Even worse, they want the Board of Managers to change its endowment investment strategy to prioritize their esoteric cause over the students who rely on these funds for tuition assistance and other forms of student aid. 
 
Add your name NOW to urge the Board of Managers to reject calls to overturn the 1991 ban on divestment and keep the Swarthmore endowment focused on delivering the best financial returns.