South Africa Divestment Records, 1972-1987

Collection context

Creator:
Columbia University
Abstract:
Beginning in the late 1970s, Columbia students urged the university to divest from companies doing business in South Africa in protest of South Africa's system of apartheid. After a series of student protests culminating in a month long blockade of Hamilton Hall in 1985, the Trustees voted to begin full divestment. The collection contains the administrative records of this decision making process in the 1970s-1980s.
Extent:
5 linear feet 4 record cartons and 114 Megabytes
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains the administrative records of Columbia University's divestment from companies doing business South Africa in protest of apartheid in the 1970s-1980s. Originally part of Columbia's Central Files, these records were kept separately because of their important subject matter. They document the extensive deliberations between the Board of Trustees, the President, the University Senate, students, and alumni though statements, reports, memos, petitions and correspondence. In most instances, materials created by students and alumni or by the University Senate are in support of divestment. The majority of the collection, however, documents the perspective of the Board of Trustees and Presidents McGill and Sovern, who did not support divestment until the 1985 Ad Hoc Committee's recommendation. Their records include background research and communication with other universities and groups debating divestment as well as their own statements and reports. The collection also contains a small amount of material on the 1985 student protests and University response.

Biographical / historical:

In 1977 Columbia students began urging the University to divest (or disinvest) from companies doing business in South Africa in protest of South Africa's system of apartheid. Within the administration, deliberations began among the president, the Board of Trustees, and the University Senate. The Senate, a body made up of faculty, students, and administrators, was more supportive of divestment, while the Trustees and President remained concerned about the strategy and its implication for Columbia's investments. Presidents William McGill and then Michael Sovern, who took over in 1980, pursued a strategy of corporate responsibility, seeking to develop standards for ethical investment that did not require full divestment.

In 1978 the Trustees issued a statement that they would not divest, but would aim to strategically pursue more ethical investments in South Africa. Presidents McGill and Sovern supported this strategy, signing on to Reverend Leo Sullivan's "Sullivan Principles," which required businesses to agree to equal treatment of their employees regardless of race. They communicated with other school's administrators to share policies and ideas as many American colleges and universities faced these questions in the early 1980s.

In 1983 the University Senate passed a resolution that Columbia should divest fully from South Africa. However, the Trustees rejected that proposal, agreeing to monitor their holdings and selectively divest, which was seen by many as not going far enough.

The Coalition for a Free South Africa, a student group led by Danny Armstrong, responded to Columbia's continued investment with protests in April 1985 that included a two week hunger strike and a blockade of Hamilton Hall. The blockade grew quickly, with hundreds of students participating. Columbia received an injunction to remove the students and brought disciplinary action against about 50-60 students. Soon after, the university created the Ad Hoc Committee Regarding Investments in Companies with Operations in South Africa. The committee proposed full divestment of $39 million of stocks, which the Trustees accepted and set a mandate to complete by 1987.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection has no restrictions.

This collection is located off-site. You will need to request this material at least three business days in advance to use the collection in the Rare Book and Manuscript Library reading room.

Terms of access:

Reproductions may be made for research purposes. The RBML maintains ownership of the physical material only. Copyright remains with the creator and his/her heirs. The responsibility to secure copyright permission rests with the patron.

Preferred citation:

Identification of specific item; Date (if known); South Africa Divestment Records; Box and Folder; University Archives, Rare Book and Manuscript Library, Columbia University Library.

Location of this collection:
6th Floor East Butler Library
535 West 114th Street
New York, NY 10027, USA
Before you visit:
Researchers interested in viewing materials in the RBML reading room must must book an appointment at least 7 days in advance. To make the most of your visit, be sure to request your desired materials before booking your appointment, as researchers are limited to 5 items per day.
Contact:
uarchives@columbia.edu