Dear President Vaccarino and members of the Board of Governors:

On January 23, 2019 the University of Guelph Board of Governors will be discussing the very important question of divesting approximately 38 million dollars’ worth of investments in the fossil fuel industry. On behalf of the over 20,000 students at the University of Guelph as well as the 350,000 post-secondary students in Ontario that I represent, I urge you to vote in favour of divesting from fossil fuels and re-investing into green energy projects.

The Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario brings together college and university students at all levels of study, both part-time and full-time, international and domestic. We are the oldest and largest student organization in both Ontario and all of Canada. Our members support Fossil Free Guelph’s calls to divest from fossil fuels. Students have the right to decide what their tuition fees fund and students have overwhelmingly expressed a deep concern with seeing their tuition fees go towards fossil fuels.

The fossil fuel industry jeopardizes the very future of our province and country; a reality that students everywhere are acutely aware of. With the effects of climate change only getting worse, students across Ontario are fighting to secure a greener and more sustainable future. The University of Guelph has the opportunity to become the first institution in Ontario to fully divest from fossil fuels and become a leader towards an environmentally-friendly future.

Please make the right choice.

In Student Solidarity,

Nour Alideeb

Chairperson, Canadian Federation of Students – Ontario