Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 68.02
Liaison Beth Klein
Submission Date Feb. 25, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

State University of New York at Cortland
PA-9: Sustainable Investment

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.06 / 4.00 Beth Klein
Campus Sustainability Coordinato
Early Childhood Education
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Option 1: Positive Sustainability Investment 

Does the institution wish to pursue Option 1 (positive sustainability investment)?:
Yes

Total value of the investment pool:
31,426,105 US/Canadian $

Value of holdings in each of the following categories:
Value of Holdings
Sustainable industries (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable forestry) ---
Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g. using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) 1,149,807 US/Canadian $
Sustainability investment funds (e.g. a renewable energy or impact investment fund) 1,149,807 US/Canadian $
Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) or the equivalent ---
Socially responsible mutual funds with positive screens (or the equivalent) 1,149,807 US/Canadian $
Green revolving loan funds that are funded from the endowment ---

If any of the above is greater than zero, provide:

A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
Three investment managers were utilized. All three managers use positively screened, best-in-class ESG processes across their entire portfolios, in line with the social impact guidelines within the Cortland College Foundation investment policy statement.

Percentage of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments:
10.98

Option 2: Investor Engagement 

Does the institution wish to pursue Option 2 (investor engagement)?:
Yes

Sustainable Investment Policy 

Does the institution have a publicly available sustainable investment policy?:
Yes

None
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
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None
The sustainable investment policy:
Social Impact Policy The Cortland College Foundation acknowledges that factors beyond just financial return may be considered in making investment decisions. The Foundation further recognizes its responsibility to its constituents and to the community as a whole, which stand to benefit from the ongoing prosperity and prudent management of the Foundation’s investment portfolio. As such, from time to time, the Foundation may seek to align its endowment with sustainable companies, including but not limited to companies that can generate positive environmental and social impact alongside a competitive financial return. In considering sustainable or socially responsible investment asset classes that are supportive of people and communities, the Foundation will use Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) ratings as a guide. The Foundation will periodically reassess the policy and market opportunities as the long-term investment objectives and social impact landscape evolve. Formally adopted in February 2018

None
Does the institution use its sustainable investment policy to select and guide investment managers?:
Yes

None
A brief description of how the policy is applied, including recent examples:
The guiding investment Social Impact Policy provides a basis for the CIR to function in relation to social, environmental and governance concerns. In addition to the ESG screening, It is the Committee's desire that no funds be directly invested in the securities of any company primarily engaged in the production of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products. The Investment Manager will note the restriction to all sub-advisors.

Proxy Voting 

Has the institution engaged in proxy voting, either by its CIR or other committee or through the use of guidelines, to promote sustainability during the previous three years?:
Yes

None
A copy of the proxy voting guidelines or proxy record:
---

None
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
We are doing this as of February 2018. We have NOT done this for the 3-year period.

Shareholder Resolutions 

Has the institution filed or co-filed one or more shareholder resolutions that address sustainability or submitted one or more letters about social or environmental responsibility to a company in which it holds investments during the previous three years?:
No

None
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
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Negative Screens / Divestment Efforts 

Does the institution have a publicly available investment policy with negative screens?:
No

None
A brief description of the negative screens and how they have been implemented:
The guiding investment Social Impact Policy is an internal document and not shared publicly unless requested. Requests for this information can be submitted through the SUNY Cortland Foundation Website, http://www2.cortland.edu/offices/foundation/index.dot

None
Approximate percentage of the endowment that the negative screens apply to:
70

Investor Networks 

Does the institution engage in policy advocacy by participating in investor networks and/or engage in inter-organizational collaborations to share best practices?:
Yes

None
A brief description of the investor networks and/or collaborations:
SUNY-wide endowments are managed by the institutionally related foundations. The financial managers / directors of these organization relate and communicate through a list-serve provided by the SUNY system / SUNY Foundation Finance Officers Group. The group meets annually to discuss best practices and address current industry challenges, but also works to develop a network for all foundations to work in other less formal ad-hoc practices to improve impact of the foundations and ultimately increase access to higher education.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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