On January 9, the Board of Trustees at the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) faced an important decision regarding its financial investments.
After thorough deliberation, the board opted against a proposal to divest its $396 million endowment from companies linked to Israel.
Student Activism and Engagement
This choice came after months of spirited activism from student groups, particularly the local chapter of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP).
These students engaged the RISD community through demonstrations advocating for greater transparency in the school’s investments and a more inclusive decision-making process.
Their activism notably included a three-day occupation of a campus building in early May of the previous year.
In the lead-up to the decision, SJP representatives held productive discussions with RISD President Crystal Williams, who has been in office since 2022, as well as with the Board’s Investment Committee last October.
While the board had suggested that an outcome would be forthcoming by early March, a January 15 email from the administration revealed their stance against the divestment request.
Institutional Decisions and Similarities
The RISD board’s decision mirrors those of other prestigious institutions like Trinity College, Oberlin College, and Brown University, which have also decided to maintain investments in companies tied to Israel.
Management of RISD’s endowment involves both financial officers and an external investment firm, ensuring a comprehensive approach to overseeing the school’s finances.
The board pointed to insights from the Stewardship & Sustainability Committee and its Investment Subcommittee, stressing that the divestment proposal conflicted with established policies from 2015, which emphasize the shared interests of the entire RISD community over those of specific factions.
Commitment to Future Dialogue
Following the board’s ruling, a student representative from the RISD SJP indicated the group’s commitment to pursuing further dialogue.
They expressed a desire to appeal the decision while advocating for divestment aligned with values of justice and equity.
The representative urged the board to actively engage with the diverse voices of students, faculty, and community members as they move forward.
Enthusiasm for continued dialogue remains high, underscoring the necessity for open communication within the RISD community.
This recent decision has ignited conversations about the school’s investment strategies and inspired future efforts aimed at enhancing both transparency and accountability in financial decision-making.
The news of the board’s vote was first reported by Hyperallergic, marking a significant moment in RISD’s ongoing effort to align its investments with the values held dear by its diverse community.