"Vanderbilt and other universities ought to kiss goodbye to fossil fuel energy stocks. Money talks."
Dr. Cecelia Tichi Professor, VU English Department
"I am a supporter of divestment on moral ground and think that universities should do so as they should lead on following a path to higher moral ground."
Dr. Curtis Baysinger Professor, VU Medical School
"Vanderbilt can support engineering for the future and profit from it, and for this reason, the time has come to begin investing in sustainable technologies"
Dr. Lori Troxel Professor, VU Engineering
"The climate policies that Vanderbilt has put into place are very respectable… but not where divestment is concerned. People who’ve stayed in fossil fuels because they’re ‘standing on principle’ to defend the endowment have lost their shirts on it."
Vice President Al Gore Former VU Student
"Divesting in fossil fuels is not only an ethically sound strategy for Vanderbilt, it is an economically sound strategy in the long view."
Dr. Amanda Little Professor, VU English Department
"As a former Vandy professor, I’m so, so happy to see the students there fighting the good fight against fossil fuels"
Dr. Joyce Chaplin Professor, Harvard University
"The climate crisis is very much here and divestment is a pressing issue that needs to be addressed now."
Hannah Bruns VU Student Body President
"The Rockefeller’s Brothers Fund, who built their fortune on whale oil and then fossil fuels, announced that its $860 million philanthropic organization was joining the divestment movement. Vanderbilt should follow suit."
Ita Hardesty-Mason Climate Nashville Activist
The communities most affected by climate change are the least likely to be invited to participate in discussions.
That is why Dores Divest has made the following commitments to ensure our effort is as inclusive as possible:
1. We will partner with the Multicultural Leadership Council (MLC) when engaging on issues of climate justice
We have established a working relationship with the MLC President to find the best ways to partner with multi-cultural orgs, whether that’s supporting MLC orgs in their events or finding speakers and perspectives to amplify at our events
2. We will trust BIPOC to speak for their own experiences regarding climate change
The intersectional elements of climate change often include challenging topics, such as immigration or AGL. We invite our speakers to speak freely about their experiences regarding these topics.
3. We reject activism that is performative without taking real action
We are proud to have advocated for divestment during meaningful conversations with faculty and admin
We are also proud to have used our platform to host a relief supply event for Waverly TN climate flood victims
We will be mindful of how to better translate our platform into tangible actions, such as by sending additional volunteers to directly support Waverly recovery efforts (sign up here) and by promoting relevant literature and other community actions
4. We will never make light of the painful realities of climate change
While the admin’s backwards logic for avoiding climate action is worth calling out, the painful experience of climate change, often felt by POC, is not a laughing matter. We will be objective in our coverage of climate impacts
5. We reject exclusivity in activism
We have never and will never turn away a student for wanting to get more involved. Our organizing exec board is open to all and made up of equally important positions. Complete this form here if you’d like to get more involved.
6. When we come short of these goals, we will take accountability
We will identify why our actions were insensitive, apologize to the individuals hurt by our actions, and outline a better path forward.
7. Your feedback is valuable to us
Email your feedback to doresdivest@gmail.com or DM our instagram for a faster response