Faculty Decision at Colby Recommends Stock Divestiture

The faculty of Colby College voted recently to have the Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees review all of the college's holdings in South Africa, and recommended divestiture of stocks in those corporations that have not committed themselves to the elimination of apartheid.

The vote, concerning some $12 million worth of stock, came after many months of discussion and protest by students and faculty members.

Robert P. MacArthur, professor of Philosophy and Religion at Colby and one of the six faculty members who introduced the faculty proposal, said yesterday the faculty is urging the divestiture of stock in corporations that are not showing "bona fide evidence of working toward the end of racism in South Africa."

While the faculty has suggested a review of all holding in South Africa with the purpose of divestiture, the New World Coalition at Colby, a student organization, is advocating full and unconditional divestiture.

Shaun Sunter, a leader of the organization, said yesterday his group is circulating a petition among alumni, students and employees of Colby asking for full divestiture. He said the group is planning a protest demonstration in April.

Colby President Robert E.L. Strider said yesterday that the faculty vote was only a recommendation, and added that the final decision will not be made until the board of trustees meeting in April.

A spokesman for the Harvard South African Solidarity Committee (SASC) said yesterday. "We are encouraged by the role that pressure from students played in Colby's action, and we will continue the struggle here."