Even if you don’t know anything about Lockheed Martin, chances are you’ve at least seen the name somewhere on campus. This is because they sponsor and donate to multiple BU programs: Watson Engineers Week, School of Management’s Center for Leadership Studies, the Integrated Electronics Engineering Center — the list goes on.
The corporation is one of the world’s biggest military contractors, a driving force in the development of new weapons technology. They design and build scores of military jets, missiles and drones, among other things. Their technology has been integral to United States drone strikes, which have killed as many as 5,000 people, a fifth of whom may have been innocent civilians. The United States’ use of drone strikes has come under international scrutiny as possible war crimes.
Hearing about Binghamton University’s strong ties to this corporation surprised me, as I have encountered many students like myself who oppose military violence, especially drone strikes. Yet, there seems to be little opposition to Lockheed’s presence on campus, much less the fact that a large number of students end up working for them. Why is this so?
At first glance, these corporate donations seem beneficial. After all, we receive money and students are connected with well-paying job opportunities and internships. These sponsorships benefit our University, so why should we not accept these magnanimous donations?
For one, we should be under no misconception that companies who sponsor BU programs are practicing philanthropy. They aren’t making donations; they’re making investments. Corporations know that if they influence students early, they have a good chance at shaping future behavior. Future engineers and business leaders who see Lockheed Martin’s name on scholarships, academic fair banners and state-of-the-art research facilities will develop a positive view of the company, perhaps even gratitude and loyalty to them. As they enter the job market, they’ll be more likely to go into Lockheed jobs and internships — opportunities conveniently waiting for them at BU career fairs. This provides Lockheed with bright, loyal, long-term workers in return for their short-term donations. That’s just good business.
Yet, by accepting money from Lockheed, BU is paving certain roads for its students. While this corporate sponsor relationship certainly isn’t forcing students to take Lockheed jobs, it’s making it much easier to get them than other non-sponsored jobs. It’s no surprise that on LinkedIn, the third most popular place to work for BU alumni is Lockheed Martin. The fifth is at BAE systems, another military contractor that also sponsors multiple BU events and programs.
Yes, increased job opportunities are good for students and they boost the school’s reputation, but at what cost? As one of the best public universities in the United States, BU plays a large role in shaping our nation’s future. Its students will undoubtedly go on to impact society in myriad ways. As the administration strives to expand and make us “premier,” its choices sow the seeds of BU’s legacy. Will BU be looked at as a school whose students used their great intellect to build weapons and create destruction? Or will it be looked at as a school whose alumni had a positive impact on the world?
The choice is up to all of us. If students and administrators stay silent on this topic, the University will continue to build well-paved roads toward Lockheed jobs, perhaps neglecting other fields. BU will have a hand in developing violent technologies that take lives around the globe. If this is something that the student body wants, so be it. However, if we decide that BU’s legacy should be one of peace and positive development, it’s time that we speak up and look for different roads to pave.