To the editor:

Stanford recently received a donation of $4 million from the Walton Family Foundation, an organization funded by the family of Wal-Mart founder Sam Walton. The family is worth over $76 billion, making them one of the richest families in the world. Almost all of their worth is a result of their holdings in Wal-Mart Stores, Inc.

The recent donation was made at the behest of two Walton family members in particular: Carrie Walton Penner, Sam Walton’s granddaughter, and her husband Greg Penner. Both are Stanford alumni and sit on the University’s Leadership Council. Greg is about to be elected to the Wal-Mart Board of Directors, Carrie is the trustee of the Walton Foundation; they are both deeply involved with the company.

Wal-Mart’s ethically bankrupt business practices are the source of the recent donation Stanford received. The company relies on low wages, poor health care, sweatshop-like factory production and taxpayer subsidies for its profits. No morally responsible university should accept money made this way.

Wal-Mart may be helping out Stanford, but the company is damaging the U.S. economy and communities across America. Tell the administration to either demand changes from the company or return this donation. Greg Penner is quickly gaining power at Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. and must be held responsible for the company’s actions. Stanford students should demand better of the school’s alumni and of the world’s largest retailer.

Alex Goldschmidt

Wal-Mart Watch