Georgetown University students this week voted for a new program that would fund slave reparations.
Under the new proposal, tuition fee would be raised by $27.20 per semester for reparations catering for the descendants of 272 slaves who were owned and sold in the 1800s.
During the referendum, 66.08% voted for yes (2541 votes), while 33.92% voted for no (1304 votes).
“66.08% for yes (2541 votes), 33.92% for no (1304 votes). This means that the referendum passes.”
– GUSAElections
The Current referendum is non-binding, meaning the University Administration still has to approve it before it can be enacted and implemented.
Georgetown University’s VP for Student Affairs Todd Olson released the following statement on Friday morning regarding the vote:
“The university values the engagement of our students and appreciates that 3,845 students made their voices heard in yesterday’s election. Our students are contributing to an important national conversation and we share their commitment to addressing Georgetown’s history with slavery.
We understand that the goals of the student referendum are to honor the 272 enslaved individuals sold by the Maryland Jesuits in 1838 and to advance “causes and proposals that directly benefit descendants still residing in underprivileged communities.”
There are many approaches that enable our community to respond to the legacies of slavery. The University has made a commitment to further our efforts in dialogue and partnership with the Descendant community, seeking to promote work that draws on the inherent strengths and expertise of our community in collaboration with the Descendant and Jesuit communities and that promotes racial justice.
This student referendum provides valuable insight into student perspectives and will help guide our continued engagement with students, faculty and staff, members of the Descendant community, and the Society of Jesus. – Georgetown University Administration
For more information, please visit Georgetown University
Courtesy- Georgetown University
