Hope College Hope College Digital Commons The Anchor: 1990 The Anchor: 1990-1999 2-28-1990 The Anchor, Volume 102.18: February 28, 1990 Hope College Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/anchor_1990 Part of the Library and Information Science Commons Recommended Citation Repository citation: Hope College, "The Anchor, Volume 102.18: February 28, 1990" (1990). The Anchor: 1990. Paper 6. https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/anchor_1990/6 Published in: The Anchor, Volume 102, Issue 18, February 28, 1990. Copyright © 1990 Hope College, Holland, Michigan. This News Article is brought to you for free and open access by the The Anchor: 1990-1999 at Hope College Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in The Anchor: 1990 by an authorized administrator of Hope College Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Arts Sports Index Boesak's book Basketball News -pg 2 reviewed -pg.n teams make Editorial -pg. e playoffs Spring Break -pg- 16 Preview -pg.g-u Hope College ^ Hulk Rule U.S. Pus I aye PAID Permit HV)1 I he anchor Holland, Ml Volume 102, Number 18 A window through the walls February 28,1990 Hope alum pushes for disinvestment policy by Jim Monnett To Van Hoeven the mere Rev.Leon Sullivan is a black According to then Hope College Responding to Van Hoeven's editor possibility of owning stock in a minister in Phildelphia who President Gordon Van Wylen in statements about whether or not South African affiliated company developed his principles as a January 1986, "The Board of honoring Boesak is inconsistent 44 Dr Allan I'.oesak s honorary is wrong. Hope College itself guideline for socially conscious Trustees decided to not alter without a formal policy against degree has sparked a Hope Col- refuses to break its ties with action in South Africa (the) policy in regard to in- investment in South Africa, Bek- lege alum to renew the t all to the racism in order to maintain its The seven Sullivan Principles vestments... (with) a conviction kering said, "I don't see the two Board of Trustees to pass a for- corporate benefits," he said. were intended as an intelligent that American firms who adhere as related. They're both in the mal policy against investment in Providing background middle ground between the two to the letter and spirit of the same country, but the award is countries that do business in the material on Hope College's polar views on divestiture. The Sullivan Principles are in a posi- for Dr.Boesak's work." Republic of South Africa. divestiture question, Bekkering one polar view calls for a com- tion to be a part of the force for "What the college is doing," Hope alum Rev.Donald T.Van said, "The Board of Trustees plete financial pull-out of South change in South Africa." Bekkering said, "Is affirming Hoeven (class of '56), a chaplain wrestled with this question Africa and the other view argues Anderson confirmed that (Boesak) in a very public way.'* at Western Michigan University, several years ago." that only through involvement in presently the Sullivan Principles Faculty spokesman sent a letter to Boesak at Cape In May 1985 the Board of these companies can institu- are the guiding force behind Dr. Stephen Hemenway could not Town applauding Boesak's work Trustees resolved to do four tional change be done. Hope College's investment port- respond for the faculty, but said, in South Africa and denouncing items on the question of apar- The Sullivan Principles re- folio. "Personally, I don't see an incon- "Hope College's economic sup- theid in response to a petition quire companies to sign an port for the racist government of signed by 700 Hope students and agreement to follow them. Each South Africa." to two letters from Student Con- of the principles addresses prac- 'We want the Board of Trustees to act In response to Van Hoeven's gress asking the Board to clarify tical ways to integrate a com- morally to prevent the college from allegations to Boesak, Hope Col- Hope College's position. pany. For example, Principle III investing in companies in South Africa.' lege's Vice President of Business The Board reaffirmed a 1977 says, ''Equal pay for all Jon Anderson said the College decision not to invest in any employees doing equal or com- -Rev. Donald Van Hoeven probably isn't invested in any firms headquartered in South parable work for the same companies involved in South Africa and reasserts 4'its strong period." Van Hoeven said that the sistency. The (award and the Africa, but that the possibility re- condemnation of both the policy Sullivan's seventh principle Board of Trustees needs to do lack of formal policy) are con- mains. and practice of apartheid." argues for divestment within two more by passing a policy against nected. The giving of the award Dean for Student Development The Board also appointed the years of 1985 if aprtheid had not investment in South Africa. Ac- is a step in the right direction Dr.James Bekkering suggested Trustee Aparteid Task Force to been ended by that time. cording to him, without a policy, toward a greater con- the discrepency probable lies in find other ways for Hope College Hope history professor Dr.Earl any investor for the College could sciousness." the purchasing of mutual funds to make a difference in South Curry said that Sullivan himself choose to reinvest in a South Hemenway said he hoped that often encompass many dif- Africa as well as to adopt the later rejected his principles as African company at any time. Boesak's appearance and the en- ferent stocks. At any time a Sullivan Principles. unworkable. Speaking for people for total tire Critical Issues would help to mutual fund that Hope College is "The Board of Trustees," Bek- "Sullivan came to see that his divestiture. Van Hoeven said, renew interest in a formal policy invested in might have some kering said, "Voted to adopt a own efforts to get companies to "We want the Board of Trustees of divestiture again. stocks of companies that do policy that would follow the integrate wasn't working as he to act morally to prevent the Col- He said Boesak's arrival was business in South Africa. Sullivan Principles " had foreseen," said Curry. lege from investing in companies "a major victory" for those in in South Africa." support of divestiture as well as "The key is what Allan Boesak for the college overall. will do," he continued. Van Commenting on the possible in- Hoeven hopes Boesak will call consistency Bekkering said, Critical Issues the college to accountability. "What I find interesting is that In his letter to Boesak, Van people on both sides are in favor Hoeven wrote, "While we all of dismantling apartheid. A lot of desire to see you recognized, it is well-informed, outstanding peo- Rita Nakashima Brock also our responsibility to call the ple have opinions." (left) and Nicholas Board of Trustees to fulfill their Bekkering doesn't think that a Wolterstorff (right) are responsibility as an arm of the formal policy against South church and to end their in- African investment is necessary. u two of the speakers vestments in the constitutionally He said, rin so thrilled to see who will be taking part racist government of South the changes and the way the in the 1990 Critical Africa. We ask for your help in political winds are changing...It 1 Issues Symposium the gaining of that goal. ' looks politically like things are Van Hoeven said the Board is moving in the right direction/' so tonight and tomorrow. showing a "moral incongruity" Hope should step back and see by giving an honorary degree what happens. while refusing to pass an offical Curry dissented, "Nothing has policy against South African in- vestments. continued on pg. 2 Page 2 the anchor February 28.1990 News Boesak to receive honorary degree for work by Carrie Maples the nomination and set tentative own personal well-being and news editor plans for the awarding during the safety." 1990 Critical Issues Symposium. Boesak is very influential in An honorary doctorate of Boesak is the president of the South Africa. He has spoken out divinity will be bestowed on Rev. World Alliance of Reformed against apartheid and encourag- Allan Boesak tonight at 7 p.m. in Churches. Dr.John Jacobson, ed non-violent responses from Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The president of Hope College, said, the people, including par- awarding of the degree will be "In giving him the degree, we ticipating in a hunger strike last part of the 1990 Critical Issues are recognizing his leadership spring. Symposium. The theme "The role in both the church, and the "My guess is that he will help- Quest for Justice: Christian! World Alliance of Reformed people understand that the Voices" is particularly ap- Churches." release of Nelson Mandela is just propriate in light of the fact that As one of the predominant the beginning of the process that Boesak is a South African church leaders in South Africa, must carry forward considerably minister. Boesak also held several other before there is to be justice for Boesak was originally important offices including na- black people there," said Dickie. nominated to the Committee on tional president of the Associa- In recognition of his Honorary Degrees and Citations tion of Christian Students in humanitarian efforts, Boesak by Dr.David Meyers, professor Southern Africa and consultant has received several awards, in- of psychology, in July 1987. The to the World Council of Churches.