| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.80 |
| Liaison | Gioia Thompson |
| Submission Date | March 2, 2020 |
University of Vermont
PA-9: Committee on Investor Responsibility
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 2.00 |
Claire
Burlingham Controller Controllers Office |
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Does the institution have a formally established and active committee on investor responsibility (CIR) or equivalent body?:
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:
UVM Socially Responsible Investing (SRI) Advisory Council (www.uvm.edu/sriac), formed in May, 2012, is a “group of students, faculty, staff, and administrators that makes recommendations to the Vice President for Finance and Treasurer on sustainability investment at UVM, including positive investments of operating cash reserves and the Clean Energy Fund.
The University of Vermont‘s Statement of Investment Policies and Objectives states the following: “Adherence to these investment strategy objectives does not preclude consideration of moral, ethical and social criteria in selecting investments or participating in shareholder resolutions that address moral, ethical or social issues. However, the core responsibility of the Board is to steward University assets in a manner consistent with prudent fiduciary practices.”
In order to meet the overall responsibility outlined above, SRI has gone through many iterations at the University of Vermont. Currently, the SRI Advisory Council makes recommendations on issues related to socially responsible investing of the endowment to the VP for Finance (VPF) which by the discretion of the VPF are moved forward for consideration to the Investment Subcommittee. In its current form, the SRI Advisory Council serves as a resource to conduct research on issues related to proxy voting, shareholder initiatives, screening and monitoring the University’s existing investment portfolio for indications of social harm.
UVM is dedicated through its intellectual assets in climate change-related programs and initiatives and it has made substantial investment in research, critical to understanding and remediating the adverse impact of global climate change as well as being responsible stewards for the environment in our operational practices as outlined in the Statement by the Investment Subcommittee on Institutional Climate Change initiatives.
The University of Vermont‘s Statement of Investment Policies and Objectives states the following: “Adherence to these investment strategy objectives does not preclude consideration of moral, ethical and social criteria in selecting investments or participating in shareholder resolutions that address moral, ethical or social issues. However, the core responsibility of the Board is to steward University assets in a manner consistent with prudent fiduciary practices.”
In order to meet the overall responsibility outlined above, SRI has gone through many iterations at the University of Vermont. Currently, the SRI Advisory Council makes recommendations on issues related to socially responsible investing of the endowment to the VP for Finance (VPF) which by the discretion of the VPF are moved forward for consideration to the Investment Subcommittee. In its current form, the SRI Advisory Council serves as a resource to conduct research on issues related to proxy voting, shareholder initiatives, screening and monitoring the University’s existing investment portfolio for indications of social harm.
UVM is dedicated through its intellectual assets in climate change-related programs and initiatives and it has made substantial investment in research, critical to understanding and remediating the adverse impact of global climate change as well as being responsible stewards for the environment in our operational practices as outlined in the Statement by the Investment Subcommittee on Institutional Climate Change initiatives.
Does the CIR include academic staff representation?:
Yes
Does the CIR include non-academic staff representation?:
Yes
Does the CIR include student representation?:
Yes
Members of the CIR, including affiliations and role:
Claire Burlingham, Chair - University Controller
Courtney Brady, Undergraduate Student Representative
Sophie Smith, Undergraduate Student Representative
Maeve McDermott, Graduate Student Representative
Eric Recchia, Graduate Student Representative
Francis Churchill, Staff Representative - Risk Management & Safety
Luce Hillman, Staff Representative - Physical Plant Department
Charles Schnitzlein, Faculty Representative - Grossman School of Business
Amy Seidl, Faculty Representative - Rubenstein School of Natural Resources
Lindsey Donovan, Assistant Controller
Courtney Brady, Undergraduate Student Representative
Sophie Smith, Undergraduate Student Representative
Maeve McDermott, Graduate Student Representative
Eric Recchia, Graduate Student Representative
Francis Churchill, Staff Representative - Risk Management & Safety
Luce Hillman, Staff Representative - Physical Plant Department
Charles Schnitzlein, Faculty Representative - Grossman School of Business
Amy Seidl, Faculty Representative - Rubenstein School of Natural Resources
Lindsey Donovan, Assistant Controller
None
Examples of CIR actions during the previous three years:
- Define criteria for new green bonds investing strategy
- Choose investment manager for green bonds strategy
- Integrate business school students to make recommendations on green bonds initiative
- Choose investment manager for green bonds strategy
- Integrate business school students to make recommendations on green bonds initiative
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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