Wheaton Wire

Issue date: 2/13/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Elisabeth Salner ’11 This handful of students are hoping to enter into a discussion with Mars about fair trade cocoa.

Students Caleb Goodhouse '08 and Max Cohen '08 are leading an initiative to encourage Mars Incorporated to practice fair trade. Currently in its silent phase, the campaign will launch campus-wide February 14 to coincide with chocolate sales on Valentine's Day.

The campaign is the result of what Goodhouse calls a "sense of obligation." He assures that the initiative is not meant to be disruptive.

"We're not going for a boycott, and we're not refusing their donations [to Wheaton]. We want Mars to agree to fair trade and make a greater commitment to the economic development of West Africa," he said.

While they would like to reach this goal, Goodhouse and Cohen understand that it is not an easy task.

"Even attaining a level of development aid higher than what they give to Wheaton would be monumental," said Cohen.

Adrienne Bevis Mars '58, married to John Mars, chairman of Mars Inc., is an alumnae and a lifetime trustee.

In 2000, the Mars family donated $10 million for the extension and renovation of the Mars Arts and Humanities building. They also have foundation grants in their name.
Goodhouse, Cohen and their supporters find this personal connection to the Mars family critical to the campaign's ability to make a difference.
"We as the Wheaton community have a voice which is much closer to Mr. and Mrs. Mars' ears than those working in West Africa-let's start shouting," said supporter Ryan Patch '08, who helped draft the letter sent to President Crutcher.
In response to the students' project, President Crutcher entered the dialogue about Mars Inc.: "I called Mrs. Mars to let her know this is Wheaton students at their best."
President Crutcher's primary concern is to get more recent information about the activities and involvement of Mars Inc.
"We want to have a good discussion. We don't want past history, we want to know what they're doing now because quite frankly from [Mrs. Mars'] perspective she felt they have done a lot," said President Crutcher.
On their official website, the Mars foundation said that it will give $4.5 million to educational programs in West Africa over the next three years. The company also began a campaign that focuses on sustainable farming, improving working conditions, and reducing child labor.
Giuliana Brogna '08, president of the Wheaton chapter of Amnesty International, hopes that this is the start of a long conversation within the community that can be taken to the Mars family.
"I hope [Mrs. Mars] will be receptive to students from her school and understand where we're coming from because through her is our best bet to actually get change," said Brogna.

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