REINVEST IN OUR FUTURE.

DivestSFU and the SFU Faculty Association (SFUFA) present: "The Role of the University in Society" a discussion panel featuring Fossil Fuel Divestment as a case study. Targeted towards students and faculty, the panel informs a growing discussion within the SFU community on what actions may be considered appropriate for the university to take on politically divisive issues as it moves toward its 50th anniversary later this year.

Historically, pressure by their members have helped push universities to take action on important issues of the day: divestment from apartheid in South Africa is perhaps the most famous example. Over the past year we have witnessed numerous calls for Simon Fraser University, as well as other universities across the globe, to take a strong stance on fossil fuel divestment. A student petition at SFU now has over 1000 signatures, 118 faculty have written to the BOG, two members of the Faculty were recently voted to the Pension Board on a divestment platform, and the Faculty Union has recently passed a resolution calling for divestment.

Such stances, however, taken by institutions carry with them certain risks. In the case of divestment from fossil fuels, the possibility of losing government support, losing private support, and even losing direct revenue from investment have all been identified as potential outcomes. Yet, how likely are these risks? Might the broader benefits outweigh potential costs? Is the university in a special position with respect to these sorts of actions? What is implied by not divesting, or staying "neutral"? The case study of fossil-fuel divestment provides an opportunity to discuss these broad questions and the role of universities in society.

Join us, as part of Reinvest in Our Future, to hear from our very own SFU faculty as we explore what, exactly, is the role of our university?

Panelists:

Professor Shane Gunster, Communications
http://www.sfu.ca/communication/people/faculty/sgunster.html

Professor Anil Hira, Political Science
http://www.sfu.ca/politics/faculty/full-time/anil_hira.html

Professor Anthony Perl, Urban Studies/Political Science
http://www.sfu.ca/politics/faculty/full-time/anthony_perl.html

Moderated by: Professor Arne Mooers, Biological Sciences
http://www.sfu.ca/~amooers/


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