With the countless hours of studying current McGill students put in to school everyday, it seems ridiculous that they would ever give up their prized degree once they’ve earned it. But that’s what some McGill alumni are now threatening to do.
Unless you’ve been literally camping out at McLennan, you probably saw the Divest McGill camp-out that happened near Milton gates the other week. The passionate group of students gained attention on campus through their efforts to bring awareness to the pressing issue of climate change. Their website explains “Divest McGill is a campaign calling on McGill University to address the urgency of climate change by divesting its endowment from the fossil fuel industry and to reinvest into more environmentally, socially, and economically responsible alternatives.”
The group shows no signs of slowing down their movement. They have recently created an online petition- addressed to McGill Principal Suzanne Fortier, Chair Stuart “Kip” Cobbett and the McGill University Board of Governors– where alumni can pledge their support of Divest McGill’s objectives.
Divest McGill’s camp-out during Fossil Free Week.
However, signatories can do more than just sign their names electronically. The petition offers two different options that signatories can agree to, in order to take their pledge to the next level. You can, first, pledge to not donate to McGill until the University agrees to divest. And a second, more extreme option is a pledge to return your McGill diploma if the University still refuses to divest by March 20th, 2016.
The petition has been quickly gaining momentum, even making it onto the Huffington Post on October 16, 2015. Notable McGill alumni Karel Mayrand, who is the Director General of the Quebec, David Suzuki Foundation and sits as a Chair on Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project, wrote about his support for the movement in his article “Why I Will Hand Back My Degree to McGill University”on the popular online news outlet. He explained “McGill University holds approximately $70 million in fossil fuel investments, or roughly 5 per cent of its $1.3 billion endowment fund. When it invests part of its endowment fund in coal, oil and gas, McGill University is betting on fossil fuels against our climate.”
Mayrand goes on to explain how he has pledged to give back his McGill Degree if the University does not take action by the deadline. His name joins over 2000 students, alumni, staff, and community members who are calling on McGill to take action- including other distinguished alumni who have also vowed to give back their degree.
McGill alumni and Divest McGill Supporter Karel Mayrand
Mayrand ends his piece by emphasizing that its time for McGill to do what’s ‘right’. He writes, “the time has come for McGill University to do the right thing. Indifference is no longer an option on climate change. As one of Canada’s greatest scientific and education institutions, McGill University has the opportunity to show leadership, integrity, and vision.”
While signing a petition is one thing, pledging to give back your McGill degree is another. So, what do you think collegiettes? Is giving back your degree too extreme? Or is it the right thing to do? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or tweet to us @HerCampusMcGill. Or, if you’re interested in signing the Divest McGill Petition, you can find it here.
Images Obtained From:
https://www.facebook.com/DivestMcGill/photos/pb.509087915801190.-2207520…
http://www.lapresse.ca/debats/debat-du-jour/201304/23/01-4643834-la-redu…
Featured Image From:
https://www.facebook.com/DivestMcGill/photos/pb.509087915801190.-2207520…