Towson University
PA-4: Sustainable Investment Program
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
Reporter |
4.1 Sustainable investment policy or committee
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of how the institution has incorporated ESG factors and/or climate risk as material issues to be considered when making investment decisions:
In 2021 and 2022, the TU Foundation (TUF) conducted benchmarking work, sought guidance from Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) experts, and diligently reviewed the performance of ESG investment options. These efforts reinforced current investment practices and resulted in several new measures to make TUF more environmentally responsible investors.
TUF does not make direct investments in fossil fuels. This has been a long-standing position of the Foundation, and it remains committed to this position.
TUF will instruct its active fixed-income managers to divest from fossil fuel (coal
and tar sands) bonds in both aggregate and short-term portfolios.standing position of the Foundation, and it remains committed to this position.
TUF will instruct its active fixed-income managers to divest from fossil fuel (coal
and tar sands) bonds in both aggregate and short-term portfolios.
TUF has created a separate asset allocation for the investment of endowment
funds that will be 100% ESG. New and existing donors will be given the option to
direct their philanthropy to the new 100% ESG endowment portfolio.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
4.2 Negative screening and divestment
Narrative and/or website URL providing evidence of the institution’s use of negative screening and/or targeted divestment in support of sustainability:
In 2022, the TUF Investment and Spending Committee instructed its active fixed-income managers to divest from fossil fuel (coal and tar sands) bonds in both aggregate and short-term portfolios. TUF also created a separate asset allocation for the investment of endowment funds that will be 100% ESG. New and existing donors continue to be given the option to direct their philanthropy to the new 100% ESG endowment portfolio.
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
4.3 Investor engagement
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s proxy voting in support of sustainability:
The TU Foundation has engaged in proxy voting in support of sustainability through its allocation to Kennedy Capital ESG SMID.
Has the institution filed a shareholder resolution or signed on to an investor statement in support of sustainability during the previous three years, either directly or through an investment manager?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the shareholder resolutions or investor statements in support of sustainability:
Is the institution an active participant in one or more sustainability or ESG-focused investor networks?:
Narrative and/or website URL providing an overview of the institution’s participation in sustainability or ESG-focused investor networks:
The Reporting Tool will automatically calculate the following figure:
Optional documentation
Additional documentation for this credit:
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.