The college recently celebrated the success of its Because Hamilton campaign, a fundraising effort that raised about $411 million from 16,349 donors. These funds have been earmarked for various purposes, including the endowment of new professorships, support for summer internships, and maintenance of the need-blind admissions policy, crucial to Hamilton’s mission since 2010. Over half of our students rely on financial aid, and the college’s commitment to meeting 100 percent of demonstrated need underscores the importance of preserving and maximizing its endowment (see the Hamilton College website).

Hamilton’s overarching mission is to provide students with the highest quality education and prepare them for lives of meaning, purpose, and active citizenship. To serve this mission effectively, it is imperative that the college take a strategic approach to managing its substantial endowment. Divestment from companies that profit from fossil fuels is a recurring issue on college campuses and Hamilton College is no different. The Student Assembly proposed that the Hamilton Board of Trustees divest in 2013 and 2021; both requests were rejected. It is not the most effective or practical means of addressing sustainability concerns.

Divestment presents challenges in terms of financial impact. There must be willing buyers for the shares that are sold. This is a complex process and will not necessarily cause significant financial consequences for the targeted companies. Hamilton can make a stronger impact by contributing directly to the green energy transition. A solution to sustainability could be the college investing more in renewable energy sources, such as solar panels, on campus. We have ample land resources – the most acres per student among NESCAC colleges – and are therefore well-suited to solar. This would be a proactive step in reducing our carbon footprint.

The argument about divestment also contains a moral quandary. While addressing climate change is crucial, focusing solely on the fossil fuel industry oversimplifies a complex issue. The root problem lies with consumers driving the huge demand for affordable energy. Addressing this requires a broader societal effort and lifestyle changes. Scrutinizing the moral and environmental significance of all the investments in Hamilton’s endowment raises the issue of where to draw the line. Managing investments responsibly is vital, but attempting to achieve absolute moral purity is not practical.

Other prestigious institutions like Swarthmore, which also highlight their duties to prioritize educational leadership, financial accessibility, and facilities that support students and faculty, have refrained from divesting in fossil fuels (Swarthmore website).

Hamilton should adopt a pragmatic approach to managing its endowment while advancing its sustainability goals. Rather than divestment, it can explore renewable energy projects, which are more tangible and have a more significant direct impact on sustainability. Divestment is merely a moral action which fails to effectively address climate change, delivering nothing but short-term emotional gratification. In contrast, Hamilton has the opportunity to become a green model for other institutions.