Resolution 1213-06
Sept. 24, 2012
Passed X: ____________________________
(President’s approval upon Senate passage)
A RESOLUTION ENCOURAGING OHIO UNIVERSITY TO TAKE MORE SUBSTANTIAL MEASURES
AGAINST CONFLICT MINERALS
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Whereas:
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Whereas:
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Whereas:
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Whereas:
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Resolved:
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Resolved:
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Resolved:
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Resolved:
10. Resolved:
Ohio University has declared its commitment to human rights and social justice in its governance
documents and policies and has taken affirmative steps throughout its history to promote these
values; and
the United Nations has found that armed groups in the Democratic Republic of the Congo whose
operations are financed by the sale of conflict minerals, the refined products of which are tin,
tantalum, tungsten and gold, bear responsibility for violations of human rights and the deaths of
5.4 million civilians in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and
Graduate Student Senate and Student Senate on three occasions unanimously have called on Ohio
University to pass a conflict minerals policy; and
Ohio University recently has recognized publicly the link between the minerals contained in the
electronic products it buys and invests in and the violence in the Democratic Republic of the
Congo, becoming only the 12th university worldwide to take such a step; and
Ohio University makes significant annual investments in electronic products, but currently does
not hold an explicit policy favoring electronic products containing conflict-free minerals; therefore
be it
that the Graduate Student Senate expresses its congratulations and thanks to Ohio University for
becoming a global leader for socially responsible practices by passing a symbolic resolution; and
be it further
that the Graduate Student Senate encourages Ohio University to factor whether electronic products
contain conflict minerals in future purchasing decisions and when available, to prefer verified
Congo-sourced, conflict-free products if feasible; and be it further
that Graduate Student Senate urges Ohio University to pass a proxy resolution voting guideline to
ensure that its shares of stock will be voted in favor of resolutions within companies that would
advance the creation of certifiably Congo-sourced, conflict-free products; and be it further
that Graduate Student Senate exhorts Ohio University to convey to the United States higher
education community its actions with respect to investment and procurement in conflict-free
companies and urge them to do the same; and be it further
that a copy of this resolution and a letter of explanation be sent, but not limited, to Roderick
McDavis, President of Ohio University; Pamela Benoit, Executive Vice President and Provost;
Ryan Lombardi, Vice President of Student Affairs. Jenny Hall-Jones, Associate Vice President for
Student Affairs and Interim Dean of Students; Bryan Benchoff, CEO of the Foundation Board and
Vice President for University Advancement; David Descutner, Interim Vice Provost for Diversity
and Inclusion, Access and Equity; Charles Cooper, Information Technology; Matt Gibbs,
Contract Administrator; Laura Nowicki, Director of Procurement Services; John Biancamano,
Chair of the Ad Hoc Committee for Socially Responsible Practices; Tynita White, Graduate
Student Senate President; Walter A. Reiling, Jr., Secretary of the Ohio Board of Regents; Richard
W. Greenlee, Dean of Ohio University Eastern; James M. Smith, Dean of Ohio University
Lancaster | Pickerington; Martin Tuck, Dean of Ohio University Chillicothe; Bill Willan, Dean of
Ohio University Southern; Jay Gogue, President of Auburn University; James. F. Barker,
President of Clemson University; Michael A. McRobbie, President of Indiana University; Susan
Herbst, President of the University of Connecticut; Patrick T. Harker, President of the University
of Delaware; Timothy M. Wolfe, President of the University of Missouri System; Mark W.
Huddleston, President of the University of New Hampshire; Thomas W. Ross, President of the
University of North Carolina; Joe DiPietro, President of the University of Tennessee; and Elson S.
Floyd, President of Washington State University.
Sponsors:
Katie Mitchell
Senator for the College of Arts and Sciences
Molly Yanity
Vice President for Administration and Finance