WPI Students Refuse ExxonMobil
In a time when environmental issues are at the forefront of scientific and humanitarian concerns, we, as students of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, strongly object to the choice of the CEO of ExxonMobil, Rex Tillerson, as speaker for WPI Commencement 2011. This choice was made without input from the WPI community.
http://wpi2011.wordpress.com/
At first we felt shocked and saddened. We felt betrayed that our academic institution would extend an honor to the CEO of a corporation whose behavior has been so thoroughly opposite to our values. The decision sparked email chains of outrage throughout campus. We organized at the meetings of the WPI chapter of Students for a Just and Stable Future, a group with prior experience working to stop rapid climate change. Tim DeChristopher, an inspiring defender of a livable future who faces jail time for stopping an illegal land sale to energy companies, happened to be scheduled by SJSF to speak at WPI the day after the commencement decision was announced to the WPI community. Listening to him tell his story renewed our dedication to stand up for what we believed with serious commitment. We further took heart from the nearly two dozen members of WPI's faculty who bravely published a letter of dissent. Like us, they took issue with the lack of ethical reflection in the administration’s decision. Powershift 2011 also reminded us of the power of the people and our ability to create change.
There are plenty of reasons to make the effort to stand up for our values rather than condone ExxonMobil through inaction. ExxonMobil-
We composed the following mission statement:
In a time when environmental issues are at the forefront of scientific and humanitarian concerns, we, as students of Worcester Polytechnic Institute, strongly object to the choice of the CEO of ExxonMobil as speaker for WPI Commencement 2011 and the way this choice was made.
Tablesitting, we collected (in only a couple weeks before finals) over 250 signatures from students who opposed the choice of the Rex Tillerson and demanded that students have a say in the commencement process, quite an achievement at our small school. We spread the word on campus through articles and editorials in the school newspaper, and screened The Yes Men Fix the World and Out of Balance: ExxonMobil's Impact on Climate Change (highly recommended) to raise awareness. We flyered campus, organized and talked on Facebook, and discussed our beliefs and respect for fellow students through an email group. We contacted the media to spread the word, talked to the administration, and searched for a counterpoint speaker who could tell us of a better future.
Seniors among us committed to quietly walking out of graduation rather than consent to being well-wished into their future by the CEO of ExxonMobil, perhaps listening to an alternate speaker instead, only returning when he finished speaking. It soon became clear that our administration considered Rex Tillerson “a friend to WPI" and was not going to take back its decision. Our administration notified the senior class that seniors who walked out would not be allowed to return to their seats and would not receive their diploma on stage at graduation. Seniors withdrawing their consent to accept the CEO of ExxonMobil would lose that special family moment after four years of hard work. After an outcry from the public regarding this punishment of students standing up for their beliefs, the administration returned to the negotiation table. They agreed to let these seniors come late to graduation instead.
As a result of this negotiation, we are happy to announce that the administration welcomed us to make full use of the graduation stage for our alternate speaker after the ceremonies end. We look forward with great anticipation to hearing Richard Heinberg, Senior Fellow-in-Residence at the Post Carbon Institute, and invite you to join us.
Katrina Crocker
Guillaume Marceau
Linnea Palmer Paton
Rhiannon Chiacchiaro
Eric Willisson
Julia Darcy
Nathan Nesbitt
Zakkai Kauffman-Rogoff
John Vilk
Patrick Sheppard
John Schaeffer
Patrick Bobell
+Many more.
Everyone is invited to hear Richard Heinberg speak!
When: May 14th, 3:00- 4:30pm
Where: WPI Quadrangle
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=179629662085892
Check out our website for more about us:
http://wpi2011.wordpress.com/
Like our Facebook Page and spread the word:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/ExxonMobil-Doesnt-Speak-for-Me-WPI-Commencement-2011/199402293432573
Sign our Change.org Petition here:
http://www.change.org/petitions/petition-in-protest-of-exxonmobils-ceo-as-speaker-for-the-2011-commencement-2
Want to help?
We'd love it if your organization could write us a statement of support!
Contact wpisjsf2011@gmail.com to see how you can join us.
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