Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 70.16
Liaison Kylee Singh
Submission Date Sept. 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

California Polytechnic State University
PA-8: Committee on Investor Responsibility

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 2.00 Ericka Horn
Director of Administrative Services & Board Operations
University Development & Alumni Engagement
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have a formally established and active committee on investor responsibility (CIR) that makes recommendations to fund decision-makers on socially and environmentally responsible investment opportunities across asset classes?:
Yes

The charter or mission statement of the CIR or other body which reflects social and environmental concerns or a brief description of how the CIR is tasked to address social and environmental concerns:

SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY CONCERNING INVESTMENTS

I.BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
A.The Board of Trustees of the California State University adopted a resolution urging its recognized CSU Auxiliary organizations to issue statements of social responsibility and to follow those precepts in examining past and considering future investment policies. In response to the Trustees’ resolution, the Cal Poly Foundation will endeavor to consider all relevant facts and circumstances in making investment decision, including the risks and opportunities of environmental, social and corporate governance features. The Cal Poly Foundation has a fiduciary responsibility to maximize investment returns on its endowment consistent with the level of risk while ensuring good stewardship of these assets that will enable continued financial support to further the educational mission of the University.

II.POLICY
A.The Foundation Board of Directors recognizes and accepts its social responsibility with respect to the investment of funds.
B.The investment policy and practices of the Foundation shall include Cal Poly Foundation
the evaluation of present and contemplated investments, not otherwise restricted in trust, in companies which do business abroad in the light of said responsibility.

C.Definitions. (1)“Socially Responsible Investing”, a term that is interchangeable with “Sustainable and Responsible Investing”, is an investment discipline that considers environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) criteria to generate long-term competitive financial returns and positive societal impact.

D.Reporting. (1)To ensure transparency, accountability and progress, the Investment manager will establish a reporting cycle with the Investment Committee.

III.REVIEW
A.The Investment Committee of the Foundation Board of Directors will review this policy five years from the most recent updated date to determine its effectiveness and appropriateness. The policy may be evaluated before that time as necessary to reflect substantial organizational, financial, or physical change(s) at the Foundation or any change required by law or by other governing policy.


Does the CIR include staff representation?:
Yes

Does the CIR include faculty representation?:
Yes

Does the CIR include student representation?:
Yes

Members of the CIR, including affiliations and role (e.g. student, faculty, staff, alumni):

FACULTY- Josh Machamer serves at the Faculty Director to the Cal Poly Foundation Board. Professor Machamer is the Chair of the Theatre and Dance Department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

STUDENT- Rob Moore serves as the Student Director to the Cal Poly Foundation. He is from Los Gatos, California and is pursuing a Political Science degree with minors in Ethics, Public Policy, Science, and Technology and Philosophy.

STAFF- Matthew N. Ewing - Matthew N. Ewing is the Vice President for Development and CEO of the Cal Poly Foundation.


Examples of CIR actions during the previous three years:

In 2018, Chair Swanson informed the Investment Committee and the Foundation Board to add a Student Director and Faculty Director to the Investment Committee and requested the Foundations portfolio managers report quarterly performance of TIAA Kaspick’s ESG (Environmental Social Governance) Fund available as an investment vehicle for potential donors.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.