Responsible Investing Policy approved
May 19, 2017
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The Queen鈥檚 Board of Trustees approved a new for the university during its meeting on Saturday, May 13.
The Responsible Investing Policy and corresponding procedures were unanimously approved by the board, replacing the March 2009 Statement on Responsible Investing.
鈥淎 new policy was necessary to ensure that Queen鈥檚 is consistent with institutional best practices in the area of responsible investing,鈥 says Don Raymond, Chair of the Board of Trustees and former chair of the Board鈥檚 Investment Committee. 鈥淭he new policy balances the overall goal of maximizing returns while also providing an avenue for members of the Queen鈥檚 community to make special requests, as we saw with the discussion on divestment from fossil fuels by the Principal鈥檚 Advisory Committee.鈥
The approval completes a nearly two-year process and builds upon recommendations made by the . Following the release of the report feedback was sought from the Queen鈥檚 community to help inform the revisions.
The new policy sets the principles that govern responsible investing practices at the university, and recognizes that the university can make an impact through several means, highlighting shareholder engagement with corporations and through its core mission as an educational and research institution.
The new procedures provide a mechanism for the university to engage with its external investment managers on environmental, social, and governance factors, and outline criteria for consideration and a process for handling a special request that is received from the university community.
鈥淭his process has drawn valuable feedback and information and I would like to thank all of those who have expressed interest and devoted their time and expertise in creating a policy that meets the principles and needs of the university and the diverse stakeholders that make up the Queen鈥檚 community,鈥 says Mr. Raymond, adding that the process received input from groups and individuals with a range of views, including Queen鈥檚 Backing Action on Climate Change.
Visit the to review the procedure on and the procedure on .