Letters and Emails
We want to express our concern over the acceptance of the recent donation of $50,000 to the School of Engineering by the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Lockheed is the world's largest weapons manufacturer. We believe that it is not in line with Jesuit ideals and morally implicates the University community.
Our socially-responsible investment criteria should extend to the donations our school accepts. Whether or not you believe that the conflicts that involve these weapons of destruction are just, the militarization of societies does not encourage the service of faith and the promotion of justice. Therefore, we stand firmly against Lockheed's influence on-campus and Santa Clara's compliance with the system of war they propagate.
Lockheed profits through the militarization of the U.S. and other nations. One half of Lockheed's sales go to the U.S. Federal Government which in turn sells $14 billion worth of weapons to nations around the world, one-third of which are known human rights violators.
The January 2001 Space Commission report for the space-missile program encouraged further "corporate-led globalization to maintain U.S. political and economic dominance." The commission developed a plan to enhance the development of corporations, including Lockheed, making them essential players in the stratification between the "haves" and the "have-nots".
The decision to publicly align ourselves with Lockheed Martin implicates us within their business practices, acting as a voice of compliance with the destruction caused by their weapons sales. Not only do we make the statement that we are in compliance with this system that is sustained by war, but we also profit from its inequalities. Within the Jesuit tradition, Fr. Arrupe urges us to reduce our active engagement within the production and proliferation of injustice. By accepting this funding, the students of Santa Clara are encouraged to use their education to propagate the development of weapons and technology that will be used to secure the privileged positions of the elite.
We are concerned that the acceptance of this donation will affect the programs of study in our School of Engineering. Currently, the relationship between Santa Clara and Lockheed allows a representative from Lockheed to serve as an advisor to our school, "providing suggestions on the subjects and expertise that the next generation of spacecraft engineers will need to possess upon graduation." This advisor will affect the curriculum by gearing it toward areas of engineering that break down humanity instead of foster it. Lockheed donates to universities so that future engineers will be prepared to design satellites, nuclear weapons, warheads, helicopters, attack planes, etc.
We offer four suggestions. First, the University should publicly return the money. Secondly, our socially-responsible investing commitment should be applied to all associations, especially those that concern profit and curriculum. Thirdly, give students decision-making power regarding who funds and influences this University. Finally, offer engineering classes orientated toward solving current issues of environmental, economic and social injustices.
For more information, please attend the upcoming University forum about donation acceptance.
Mckinsey Miller and a conerned group of students,
history, '02