| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.83 |
| Liaison | Mark Lichtenstein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2023 |
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
PA-9: Committee on Investor Responsibility
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Brenda
Greenfield Director of Development Development Office |
Does the institution have a formally established and active committee on investor responsibility (CIR) or equivalent body?:
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:
Mission Statement:
The ESF College Foundation (Foundation) is a not-for-profit corporation of alumni, college, and community leaders committed to helping the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (College) achieve its mission through resource development and resource management.
Beliefs:
- The quality of life for present and future generations is inextricably linked to environmental stewardship and the availability of natural resources.
- The College’s mission plays an important role in the understanding and management of renewable natural resources, the application of the principles of sustainable development, and the community’s respect for the environment through education, research, and public service.
- The members of the Foundation’s Board of Directors and the resources of the Foundation are important assets in supporting the mission and strategic plan of the College.
Vision:
The Foundation seeks to provide the resources necessary to allow the College to achieve its dreams without constraint.
Objectives:
- Resource Development: To continue to increase the value of the Foundation’s assets through the raising of new funds each year, prudent investments, and real property management.
- Resource Management: To manage the Foundation’s financial investments and other assets in a manner that is both fiscally prudent and consistent with the principles and policies of the College community.
- Board Development: To assure that the members of the Board of Directors have a clear understanding of the Foundation’s activities and their responsibilities in support of those activities.
Does the CIR include academic staff representation?:
Does the CIR include non-academic staff representation?:
Does the CIR include student representation?:
Members of the CIR, including affiliations and role:
Student Representative:
Silas Cochran, President of SUNY ESF Mighty Oak Student Assembly (MOSA)
Non-academic Staff Representatives:
Joanie Mahoney, ESF College President
Susan Head, CFO
Brenda Greenfield, Executive Director of Development
Cornelius Murphy, ESF President Emeriti
Ross Whaley, ESF President Emeriti
Academic Staff Representatives:
Cornelius Murphy, Environmental Engineering Faculty Emerita -- Dr. Murphy is also an emeriti faculty member (academic staff) in our Environmental Engineering academic department. Even though he is emeriti, he comes to work every day, completes research, pursues grants, mentors and advises students and other faculty, represents faculty and the College at community events and conferences, and teaches in classes. He is an active academic staff member, and brings the issues and input of faculty (academic staff) to the College Foundation. ESF faculty hold Dr. Murphy in high regard and fully support his participation at the College Foundation. He’s been instrumental with the College's continual move toward sustainable investments.
George Curry, ESF Faculty Emeriti -- Dr. Curry is active with the College's Landscape Architecture program. He mentors students and faculty, and lectures in classes.
Ross Whaley, Forest Resources Management Faculty Emeriti -- Dr. Whaley is also still engaged with ESF.
David Gerber, Visiting Professor -- Mr. Gerber is also involved with the College Foundation.
It is important to recognize how the ESF College Foundation and its associated investment committee does business. The Emerti and Honorary members are treated like full voting members. They directly participate in, and influence decisions. This is especially true for our two Emeriti College Presidents, Drs. Ross Whaley and Neil Murphy who participate with the College Foundation. Their previous and successful presidential roles provide them with great influence. Their input is highly respected.
Examples of CIR actions during the previous three years:
- Actively partnered with Energy Program Manager of Central New York Regional Planning and Development Board to identify solar project installation opportunities for ESF College Foundation owned properties
- Entered into solar PV ground mount lease agreement with Abundant Solar.
- Conducted RFP for Investment Management Services with a particular focus on EFG and sustainable investment expertise
- Worked with new investment advisor, Rockbridge Investment Management, on a hybrid approach of portfolio screening, ranking and re-weighting based on environmental record to create a new portfolio that reduces carbon intensity of holdings by 71% as per data provided by https://fossilfreefunds.org/
- Partnered with ESF Office of Sustainability to decrease waste stream and increase recycling during move-in and move-out of ESF College Foundation owned residence hall
- Deep collaboration and with ESF Office of Sustainability in support of EcoReps program in ESF College Foundation owned resident hall, including financial support (more about EcoReps program in EN-1)
Website URL where information about the institution’s committee on investor responsibility 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.