Last Thursday, the Faculty Senate announced that Students Taking Action Now in Darfur had presented an electronics policy procurement change and received 13 votes in favor of Brandeis implementing policies opposing using conflict minerals in electronics. STAND at Brandeis is one of many college groups which have joined the Conflict-Free Campus Initiative that fights against the use of conflict minerals. This board applauds STAND in organizing students and beginning to implement changes to address this global problem.

   Conflict minerals include tin and tungsten and are harvested through human rights abuses to fund conflict between rebel groups, most notably in the Democratic Republic of Congo. These minerals are used in consumer electronics such as phones and computers. CFCI focuses on requesting that universities do not purchase products including conflict minerals. If Brandeis passes the CFCI, it would be the first university in the Northeast to enact a conflict-free responsibility resolution. 

   STAND has taken proactive steps in implementing its initiative, including gaining support from Vice Provost of Library and Technology Services John Unsworth, gaining support from the Faculty Senate and spreading awareness through a Facebook page. However, STAND still has work to be done in educating students on the issue. This board recommends STAND share its proposal with the student body. This will educate the student body on this often obscure topic and ensure that the proposal is agreed upon by a majority of the University. The current proposal includes advising the University to consider which companies they buy electronics from and eventually phasing out electronics that contain conflict minerals. 

  Since Brandeis was founded, the definition of social justice has continued to evolve and today includes the use of unethically mined conflict minerals that violate individuals’ human rights. 

  In conjunction with other universities participating in CFCI, Brandeis now has the opportunity to make a statement against the use of conflict minerals in consumer electronics. This board praises STAND’s efforts to effectively lead that cause on campus.