Fossil Free WSU
ESA Subcommittee Meeting Minutes, September 20, 2022
Present: Cameron Longwith, Gil Rezin, Abby Owens, Danielle Weinberger, Simon Smith, Mason Burns, Ryan Culp, Bill Engels
I. Outcome of Public Comment at Board of Regents’ Meeting, September 16, 2022
Bill shared that in his comment he reminded the Regents that fossil fuel holdings were inconsistent with WSU’s pledge as a signatory on the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment Charter to be a leader on sustainability and climate action. He also pointed out that the University of Washington’s Board of Regents voted on September 8th to fully divest from fossil fuels (by 2027) and asked that ESA be given representation on President Schulz’s Environmental Sustainability Task Force. For the first time in FFWSU’s public comments, the Regents were invited to ask questions afterward. Though no one did, Regent Dickinson told Bill that the Regents have asked President Schulz to continue to have divestment as a topic of discussion in the process of developing a sustainability plan for WSU and that “We hear you.”
To view the public comment, see WSU Board of Regents | Sep 16th, 2022 – YouTube at 2:10.
Bill reported that after the meeting he asked Mike Connell, CEO of the WSU Foundation and Regent Heather Redman, who is on the Foundation’s Investment Committee, how FFWSU could best pursue its goal of getting a commitment from WSU to divest. She responded, “Keep up the advocacy,” which “helps us.” She also remarked that WSU did not have a lot of holdings in fossil fuels and “Russia.” When Bill asked how to find out about the status of the Environmental Sustainability Task Force being created at WSU and what principles are being developed for WSU’s Environmental, Social, and Governance investing, she advised keeping in contact with President Schulz’s office.
FFWSU viewed the discussion about fossil fuel divestment on the recorded Strategic and Operational Excellence Committees meeting held on September 15th. The subject came up at the meeting after a question was raised by one of the Regents about the status of this divestment. In his response, President Schulz indicated that the Sustainability Task Force was charged with developing the core principles of WSU’s ESG investing. He mentioned the former Head of WSU’s School of Environmental Science as the person likely to lead the Task Force. He hoped that early in 2023 the principles would be brought before “the Board” [the Board of Regents or Foundation’s Board of Directors, or, probably, both] for their approval.
II. Actions for 2022-2023
The group discussed the following actions and steps:
1. Continue to let President Schultz and the Foundation know we want a provision for full divestment included among the principles of ESG investing. Since these principles are now being developed by the Task Force, this is a crucial time for our advocacy.
The group planned a peaceful march from the WSU campus to the President’s and Foundation’s offices in downtown Pullman in October. All of those in attendance said they could participate. Ryan will bring the card stock and colored markers and Simon the frames for making up to 16 signs at the next FFWSU meeting, October 4th. WSU news sources can be contacted about publicizing and covering the event. Participation from Palouse Citizens’ Climate Lobby, who are marching on October 22nd, might be arranged. Abby suggested hanging a banner from the bridge that crosses Stadium Way next to French Admin/Lighty. Faculty can be invited to participate, as well as asked to let their students know about the event.
The group was asked to send suggestions for sign slogans to Bill at william.engels@wsu.edu.
2. Collect at least 1,000 signatures on the student petition. The present count is near 700.
Cameron offered to post the petition again among the students; Bill will follow up on his offer by talking to Stevie. Mason will edit and Ryan get permission for and print the flyer with the QR code for posting in the student dorms. He will also print this flyer for distributing during the march (see # 1. above.) Abby will get the word out to the WSU sororities through social media.
3. Draft a Divestment Resolution and seek ASWSU’s approval on it. Bill shared Dr. Brian Henning’s recent suggestion that we get the support of representative WSU groups since the university administration pays more attention to them. If approved by ASWSU, we can seek approval on it from the Faculty Senate, as Gonzaga University did.
Mason and Abby said they would edit Fossil Free Gonzaga’s Resolution for FFWSU. Bill said he would send it to them.
Next meeting: Tuesday, October 4th, 6 pm in CUB 206
Fossil Free WSU 