Ohio University strives to be "the best student-centered learning experience in America." To make that aspiration a reality, students' voices must be heard not only in the classroom but also in the upper echelons of administration.
I am very proud to be part of STAND Against Genocide, a student organization that has sought to do just that. With support from Student Senate, Graduate Student Senate and several student organizations, STAND has been working hard since last October to make OU a "DRC conflict-free" institution.
To be DRC conflict-free is to use our leverage as an institutional consumer of and investor in electronics to call for an end to corporate complicity in the violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo. OU should call on the companies with which we do business to avoid minerals that come from illegal, militarized mines in the Congo and to source responsibly from the region.
The first step is as simple as issuing a public statement. But the university should also consider ethical procurement and investment policies for electronics in order to help end corporate complicity in human-rights violations.
I want my school to be a leader for human rights. If you do too, I hope you will consider joining me in calling President Roderick McDavis this Tuesday Nov. 15 at 740-593-1804 and ask him to make OU a DRC conflict-free institution.
Learn more at raisehopeforcongo.org or search for "Conflict-free Call-in Day to President McDavis" on Facebook.
Jack Spicer is a sophomore studying political science.
