The referendum on the spring ballot supporting UF's adherence to socially responsible investment, which passed by student voters, shows that among students a strong sentiment exists for the university to do the right thing: to place people before the unrestrained quest for profit.
Last week's announcement of a hunger strike is demonstrative of the university's unwillingness to respond to student's efforts to institute a program that already exists in some of America's most prestigious universities.
Though I am saddened the administration has allowed the situation to come to this point, I stand firmly in support of the hunger strikers and urge UF President Bernie Machen to be reasonable and respect the wishes of the student body.
It is not too much to ask for the university to carry out the will of the students and engage in responsible investing practices, which would return healthy profits and put people first at the same time.
I hope that Machen will not follow in the footsteps of former English Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, the "Iron Lady," and let his stubbornness end in the deaths of young men fighting for justice. Please, President Machen, do the right thing.
