Students protest Starbucks on campus, call for local sustainability

STU students hold signs in support of the environment and the Fredericton community in front of George Martin Hall. (Jennifer William/AQ)

Students at St. Thomas University gathered outside George Martin Hall on Oct. 29 to protest the arrival of Starbucks on campus, saying the multinational chain goes against the university’s values of sustainability and local support.

The protest was part of a broader climate action campaign titled "Now or Never," organized by STU Sustainability. 

Students and local climate advocates voiced frustration over the university’s decision to replace Mill Town Roasters, a Fredericton-based coffee shop, with Starbucks this academic year.

For students like Mallory Thompson, a second-year criminology and psychology student, the issue went beyond coffee.

“I want to be proud that my school supports local,” said Thompson. “When they switch to something more commercial, it feels like we’re stepping away from our community.”

Before Starbucks opened on campus this year, students had enjoyed coffee from Mill Town Roasters, a community-driven and local business.

MacKenzie Halas Moulton, a third-year student at STU, joined the protest outside George Martin Hall. (Jennifer William/AQ)

Margo Sheppard, president of the Fredericton Community Climate Hub, said the protest reflected the importance of student activism in holding institutions accountable.

“Universities need to provide the academic freedom for professors and students to question corporate influence,” said Sheppard. “Even small actions like this protest help generate awareness and change.”

Students said the protest was about more than Starbucks. They linked it to the university’s wider approach to climate action and its responsibility to model sustainable practices.

“It’s not just about coffee,” said Ivory Gadsden, co-chair of the STU Sustainability Club. “The climate crisis affects everyone. Every choice, including which companies we support, plays a role. If the university says it values sustainability, it needs to act like it.”

“Actions speak louder than words,” said Thompson. “If the university truly cares about sustainability, it should show that through what it does, not just what it says.”

Gadsden said the protest also served as a call to action for students who might feel their individual efforts don’t make a difference.

“Sometimes all it takes is one person to take action,” she said. “Showing up, even in a small way, demonstrates that people care  and that can influence bigger changes.”

Participants called for a gradual return to supporting local businesses on campus and urged administrators to listen to students’ concerns. They said that “buying local” strengthens communities and reduces the ecological footprint associated with multinational corporations.

“Deep down, it’s about connection,” said Thompson. “Your coffee shouldn’t just taste good, it should reflect care for your community and the planet.”

Organizers hope the protest will spark broader discussions about sustainable practices at STU and encourage administrators to make policy decisions that align with the values promoted in classrooms.

The on-campus protest illustrated how student voices can challenge institutional choices and highlight the importance of community-focused sustainability. 

“If students are learning about sustainability in lectures, the university needs to model it in its operations,” said Sheppard.