Students have called attention to unethical investments in the University in a flashmob protest this week.

Brandishing cardboard guns and dressed in their college gowns, the 25 strong group gathered outside King’s on Wednesday. They hope to raise awareness of the University’s unethical investment adventures as part of CUSU’s Socially Responsible Investment Campaign.

The chief concern of the campaign this year is investment in Arms companies, such as BAE Systems, which have a dubious record concerning ethical practices.

Trinity invests £1.134 million in the company, Queens’ £388,888 and Magdalene £135,400.

The University itself has refused to comment on its specific investments but according to Bryony Hopkinshaw, the CUSU Socially Responsible Investment Officer and organiser of Wednesday’s protest, it is probable that they will hold stakes in the company.

“It is likely that they will have some money in BAE Systems as BAE is a large company and they have no policy to do otherwise” she said.

 Similarly, Colleges who allow banks to control their investments rather than holding shares on their own behalf are likely to have money in the highly profitable company.

Selling weaponry and arms all over the world, BAE Systems has been accused of bribing political officials so as to secure contracts in countries such as Tanzania and the Czech Republic. The company has also been heavily implicated in human rights abuses; in October of this year, armed vehicles sold by Alvis, a sub-company of BAE, were used to attack unarmed protestors in Guinea, West Africa. At the time of sale, the vehicles were cited by Alvis to be necessary for border control.

Despite introducing a new ‘Statement of Investment Policy’ this summer, the University has made no progress in attempting to change its involvement with such companies. CUSU’s Socially Responsible Investment Campaign asks that the University not invest in companies that are involved with the infringement of human rights, or that provide products that will be used to do so.

Wednesday’s protest was an attempt to jolt the University into action. Beginning at King’s, moving on to Great St Mary’s, the protest stopped at the office of the University Registry, who has the final decision on the Social Investment Policy.

One protestor remarked that the choices the University makes concerning its finances seem well hidden, and stressed the need to raise awareness of the cause. “It’s good just to get people thinking about it”, they said.

Whether the protest has made a practical difference remains to be seen, and campaigners are arranging to meet with College fellows and bursars to discuss the ethical viability of their policies.