Time for Dartmouth to Divest
It’s about time. Since 2013, Divest Dartmouth has been encouraging Dartmouth to stop investing in the 200 largest fossil fuel companies. College President Phil Hanlon initially commissioned a report on the impact of fossil fuel divestment at Dartmouth in the spring of 2014 — to be due in the fall of 2014. After two years of restructuring committees, changing deadlines and recommissioning reports, President Hanlon has finally received and released the report. The report, headed up by Professor Mark Borsuk, an expert in environmental decision-making, is unequivocal: “In both best and worst case scenarios . . . complete divestment from fossil fuels and reinvestment in clean energy leads to the greatest overall fulfillment of meeting the considered objectives.”
The report takes a detailed look at all of the consequences — financial, political, educational, cultural. It concludes that the benefits of divestment vastly outweigh the costs. Divestment helps Dartmouth lead our nation’s transition to renewable energy, educate its students about the clear-cut science on climate change, and align its actions with its conservationist values.
There is only one way for Dartmouth to respond to Professor Borsuk’s thoroughly-researched study on Divestment. It’s time for Dartmouth to divest.
Noah Cramer
Dartmouth College 2016
Hanover
Hassan Cares About Education
In an increasingly competitive global workforce, quality education at all levels is important and higher education is more important than ever. An affordable, quality education is the most powerful tool a young person can have in shaping his or her future, and I believe providing that education should be one of the top priorities of our elected officials.
Fortunately for New Hampshire, Gov. Maggie Hassan has made education one of her top priorities while leading the state. For the first time in 25 years, New Hampshire froze in-state tuition and reduced tuition at its seven community colleges. She fought to protect funding for public schools, took steps to improve science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) education, and fostered partnerships between manufacturing companies and local schools.
An educated workforce is vital for economic growth in all of our state’s regions. When companies come to New Hampshire. looking for opportunities, we need to show them a vibrant workforce, ready to go. This kind of leadership is desperately needed in Congress where cuts to Pell Grants by Republicans have made higher education more expensive.
Maggie Hassan will be a force for change in the U.S. Senate, and we certainly do need change. New Hampshire voters would be smart to elect her in November. I urge voters to cast their vote this fall for Maggie Hassan for U.S. Senate.
Allen R. Damren
Claremont
Hillary for Prison
Once again and for perhaps the hundredth time, Hillary Clinton has been exposed to all America as a serial liar. It would be a joke if she ran for dog catcher, let alone the highest office in the land. It should be Hillary for prison, not president.
Jim Newcomb
North Haverhill