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Summary

From 1978 to 1989, students at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania campaigned for the college to divest from all companies with investments in South Africa to protest apartheid. Through petitions, vigils, sit-ins, and other nonviolent actions, they pressured the Board of Managers to adopt a plan for complete divestment by 1990. The college ultimately sold $42.5 million in stocks and maintained divestment for many years, contributing to the broader anti-apartheid movement.

Tactics used

Tactics used

Background

Starting in the 1960s, U.S. students organized against apartheid in South Africa, targeting companies and universities with investments there. At Swarthmore College, students had signed a letter in 1965 calling for divestment from Chase Manhattan Bank, but the issue was overshadowed by Vietnam War activism. In the late 1970s, students revived the campaign, arguing that U.S. corporate investment helped maintain the apartheid regime. Their goal was to pressure Swarthmore College to divest from all companies with assets, interests, and investments in South Africa.

What happened

In February 1978, the Swarthmore Political Action Committee held a discussion on South Africa, leading to the formation of the Swarthmore Anti-Apartheid Committee (SAAC). [source: nv-database] Two days later, SAAC circulated a petition that gathered 640 signatures and presented it to the Board of Managers, who tentatively adopted the Sullivan Principles instead of full divestment [source: nv-database]. Between 1978 and 1981, SAAC raised awareness through speakers and films, and in 1980 the Advisory Committee on South Africa was formed. [source: nv-database] By May 1981, the college divested over 42.5 million in stocks and placing 15 million) into a South Africa Free Fund [source: nv-database]. The college followed through and maintained divestment for many years; apartheid was abolished in 1992 [source: nv-database].

Key people & organizations

  • Swarthmore Anti-Apartheid Committee (SAAC)
  • Swarthmore College Board of Managers
  • College Divestment Coalition
  • Advisory Committee on South Africa
  • Ad Hoc Advisory Committee on Ethics and Investments
  • CEIR
  • Raymond Hopkins

Outcome

Verdict: won.

The campaign achieved its goal of full divestment, as the board promised and implemented complete divestment by 1990. The success was due to sustained student activism, growing public support, and the board’s eventual willingness to adopt a phased plan. [source: nv-database]

Lessons

  • Persistent, multi-year campaigns can eventually shift institutional policies even when initial responses are inadequate.
  • Escalating tactics from petitions to direct action can maintain momentum and pressure decision-makers.
  • Building coalitions with faculty, other colleges, and advisory committees strengthens legitimacy and influence.

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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