Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.27
Liaison Suchi Daniels
Submission Date Feb. 22, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of South Florida (Tampa)
PA-9: Sustainable Investment

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.00 / 4.00 Ken Souza
Investment Director
USF Foundation
"---" 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:
586,316,000 US/Canadian $

Value of holdings in each of the following categories:
Value of Holdings
Sustainable industries (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable forestry) 0 US/Canadian $
Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g. using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) 0 US/Canadian $
Sustainability investment funds (e.g. a renewable energy or impact investment fund) 0 US/Canadian $
Community development financial institutions (CDFIs) or the equivalent 0 US/Canadian $
Socially responsible mutual funds with positive screens (or the equivalent) 0 US/Canadian $
Green revolving loan funds that are funded from the endowment 0 US/Canadian $

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

A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
The endowment has commitments to venture capital and natural resource funds of funds which include investments in "clean tech" and renewable energy. We do not have a specific valuation for this investment as it is part of a private equity limited partnership.

Percentage of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments:
0

Option 2: Investor Engagement 

Does the institution wish to pursue Option 2 (investor engagement)?:
No

Sustainable Investment Policy 

Does the institution have a publicly available sustainable investment policy?:
No

None
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
---

None
The sustainable investment policy:
The Board of Governors (Board) and universities’ boards of trustees jointly manage the system to meet the critical needs of the state, achieve the statewide goals and objectives of the State University System (SUS) Strategic Plan, address specific institutional issues as outlined in the university work plans, and demonstrate accountability/ justification.

None
Does the institution use its sustainable investment policy to select and guide investment managers?:
No

None
A brief description of how the policy is applied, including recent examples:
Investments and budgetary matters are guided primarily by the strategic plans developed: Goal One: Well-educated and highly skilled global citizens through our continuing commitment to student success. Goal Two: High-impact research and innovation to change lives, improve health, and foster sustainable development and positive societal change. Goal Three: A highly effective, major economic engine, creating new partnerships to build a strong and sustainable future for Florida in the global economy. Goal Four: Sound financial management to establish a strong and sustainable economic base in support of USF’s continued academic advancement

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?:
No

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

None
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
The Articles of Incorporation of the Foundation may be amended or additional provisions added or adopted by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members of the Board of Trustees present or voting by proxy at any meeting thereof, and in all instances subject to the written concurrence of the President of the University of South Florida provided, however, that notice thereof, which shall include the text of the change in the Articles of Incorporation, has been furnished in writing to each trustee of the Foundation at least ten (10) days prior to the meeting at which such change in the Articles of Incorporation is to be voted upon.

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:
---

None
Approximate percentage of the endowment that the negative screens apply to:
0

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:
Endowment investment staff frequently engages with investor networks with other endowments to discuss various topics that include sustainable investment practices

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
http://giving.usf.edu/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.