Dear Dr. Jackson,

We respectfully request that you step down from the board of the Marathon Oil, a company that is actively contributing to unacceptable environmental and public health problems on local, national, and global levels. The President of a great university should not be associated with such activities.

It is widely acknowledged that fossil fuels are driving dangerous climate change and cause toxic contamination of air, water, soils, and bodies -- and fossil fuels are Marathon Oil’s business. The boom in unconventional energy production only deepens the problem, and Marathon Oil’s responsibility. The consequences and need for accountability are local, national and global.

The Rensselaer Plan 2024, says that “we look forward to addressing the Global Challenges that face the world of the 21st century—to change lives, to advance society, and, indeed, to change the world.” This means that Rensselaer should be at the forefront of effort to solve climate change. But by serving on the board of a fossil fuel company, you are directly contradicting this goal, and undermining RPI’s standing as a leading university. You also undercut the confidence of students, who find it difficult to see RPI as preparing them for great futures while simultaneously destroying the very climate their future depends upon.

We appeal to you to resign from the board of Marathon Oil because your role directing this oil company contradicts your goals as president of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, undermines your position as a role model for young people who are inheriting the burden of climate change, and potentially damages your reputation as a scientist, policy expert, and public servant who takes human and environmental health risks seriously.

While most everyone on the planet today bears some responsibility for the impacts that fossil fuels have on the environment and human health, your role is special. Serving on the board of an oil company is an enormous responsibility in all senses of the term. Please accept this responsibility and resign from your position on Marathon’s Board. This is your moment to remain on the right side of history, or to accept a disproportionate share of responsibility for the consequences.