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Summary

In 1978, a coalition of students, faculty, and community members at Michigan State University (MSU) campaigned for the university to divest its endowment from companies operating in apartheid South Africa. Through education, lobbying, and institutional pressure, they convinced the Board of Trustees to vote for divestment. MSU sold $8.5 million in stock from thirteen companies between 1979 and 1980, making the campaign a success.

Background

Starting in 1948, South Africa’s apartheid government enforced legalized racial oppression. In the 1970s, U.S. activists targeted American corporations that supported apartheid through subsidiaries in South Africa. At Michigan State University, the Southern Africa Liberation Committee (SALC) formed in 1972 and initially provided aid to refugees, later shifting to economic non-cooperation. After successfully pressuring East Lansing to pass a Selective Purchasing Resolution in 1976, SALC turned to MSU’s $30 million endowment.

What happened

SALC began the divestiture campaign by educating the university community about apartheid through weekly postings, leaflets, speeches by African activists, and films from the International Defense and Aid Fund [source: nv-database]. They provided postage-paid postcards for filmgoers to send to trustees, personally invited each trustee to events, and sent representatives to every Board meeting [source: nv-database]. For one meeting, SALC placed green folders with apartheid information at trustees’ seats, making them appear official [source: nv-database]. Trustees Blanche Martin and Aubrey Radcliffe, both African-American and civil rights veterans, supported the campaign [source: nv-database]. SALC held small protest assemblies but focused on institutional channels, securing endorsements from ASMSU and COGS [source: nv-database]. The Board referred the issue to a faculty panel, which found negligible financial impact from divestiture [source: nv-database]. In autumn 1978, Trustee Radcliffe moved to divest from all companies with subsidiaries in South Africa, and the Board voted in favor [source: nv-database]. Between January 1979 and January 1980, MSU sold $8.5 million in stock from thirteen companies, making money and diversifying its portfolio, though corporate donations from Michigan-based firms like Dow Chemical, Ford, and General Motors declined [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Southern Africa Liberation Committee (SALC)
  • Frank Beeman
  • Patricia Beeman
  • East Lansing Peace Education Center
  • American Committee on Africa
  • International Defense and Aid Fund
  • Washington Office on Africa
  • Associated Students of Michigan State University (ASMSU)
  • Council of Graduate Students (COGS)
  • Aubrey Radcliffe
  • Blanche Martin
  • Michigan State University Board of Trustees

Tactics used

SALC combined public education through speeches, films, and leaflets with direct lobbying of trustees and student government endorsements, building broad support and leaving the Board with no credible opposition. [source: nv-database]

Outcome

Verdict: won.

The campaign achieved full divestment, with MSU selling all targeted stocks and even profiting from the transactions. The public accountability of MSU’s elected trustees and the lack of organized opposition were key factors in the victory. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • Targeting publicly elected officials can increase accountability and pressure for change.
  • Building alliances with student government and faculty panels can legitimize demands and counter institutional stalling.
  • Personalized lobbying, such as inviting trustees to events and placing information at their seats, can effectively influence decision-makers.

Sources

Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.

Sources & verification

  • nv-database — grounding: primary — license: link-only
  • Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via worker_casestudies_v2.py

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