UNC Sierra Student Coalition rallies at Board of Trustees dinner

A torrent of rain could not deter 18 members of the Sierra Student Coalition from their rally Wednesday at the Ackland Art Museum.

Members of the group, whose campaign “Beyond Coal” is focused on eradicating UNC’s investment in the coal industry, rallied to attract the attention of members of the Board of Trustees eating dinner at the museum after committee meetings at the Carolina Inn.

“We came here today to show the board that people care about this issue,” said Harry Alper, the group’s new coordinator assigned to UNC’s chapter by the national organization.

“Now we’re here to show them that 18 people care enough to come out and support their cause in hurricane weather.”

Alper said coal is part of a huge problem nationally.

“The most important task we have right now is to move beyond coal to clean energy,” he said.

This issue holds particular importance for UNC, Alper said. Though the Sierra Student Coalition members said they are glad that the University has chosen to become coal-free in its own operations, UNC can do more, they said.

“UNC has been a leader in sustainability,” Alper said. “But if we continue to fund coal industry companies and mine and burn coal off campus, we’re not seizing opportunities to be a leader at every level of sustainability.”

Junior Chris Jones, who attended the rally, said while UNC was the first to agree to not have coal on campus, it is important for the University to lead the way again by not investing in coal at all.

Student members grouped together wearing rain jackets and holding umbrellas. Some held signs reading, “Coal Money is Bad Money” and “Renewable, Responsible, UNC.”

The group’s members planned to hand out letters to trustees in support of the cause, but were partially deterred when some trustees entered through the Ackland’s back door.

But one group member did manage to put a letter in the hands of Chancellor Holden Thorp.

Board member John Ellison offered some words of encouragement for the group as he walked into the museum.

“Y’all are mighty hearty and you believe in your campaign,” he said.

Senior Robert Corriher, a new member of the coalition, said the group is firmly committed.

“We’re not going anywhere,” he said. “We really hope the board is willing to have an honest conversation about this issue but if not, we’ll be here.”

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