General Information
The Working Group on Responsible Investing (WGRI) has launched its community consultations to receive information and opinions that can inform its deliberations. Drop-in consultation sessions will be held in the Academic Town Square, McLaughlin Library, University of Guelph as follows:
Friday, March 13, 2015
1:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
12:00 – 1:30 p.m.
The Working Group encourages individuals to come forward and welcomes the opportunity to hear directly from those interested in Responsible Investing at these sessions. Those planning to attend are encouraged to RSVP via univsec@uoguelph.ca indicating the date and general time frame for their attendance at the drop-in consultations. This will help the WGRI members as they plan for engagement with the flow of attendees.
To assist individuals in preparation for the consultation sessions, the WGRI offers the following questions for consideration:
- The mandate of the WGRI offers the description of Responsible Investing from the “Principles for Responsible Investing” that is a component of the UNEP Finance Initiative and UN Global Compact. Do you agree with this description? Why/Why not?
- What do you consider to be the fundamental values and qualities of the University of Guelph that are most relevant to its consideration of Responsible Investing?
- What are the key principles or factors that should guide the University of Guelph’s investment policies and procedures from the perspective of Responsible Investing?
- If the University of Guelph adopts changes to its investment policies and procedures to align with Responsible Investing, what criteria should be used to assess whether these changes are effective?
Those wishing to contribute to the consultations and unable to participate in one of these sessions are welcome to submit their views in writing to the WGRI before March 31, 2015. Submissions may be emailed to univsec@uoguelph.ca or sent by mail to the attention of the WGRI in care of the University Secretariat, University of Guelph, 4th Floor, University Centre, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1.
THE WGRI IN BRIEF
The WGRI has a mandate to prepare advice for the Finance Committee of the Board of Governors about University policies and procedures that affect investment of its endowment fund assets. The WGRI is reviewing practices in Responsible Investing (RI) at other Canadian universities and non-profit organizations and welcomes the views of members of the University of Guelph community as well as friends of the University in conducting its work.
The WGRI began meeting in January 2015. Through January and February, it has been deepening its understanding about the University’s current policies and procedures with regard to investment of the University’s endowment assets, the concept of “Responsible Investing”, and best practices in this area currently used by other Canadian universities and other non-profit organizations.
Information about its meetings and the materials used in its work are available publicly as are many of the resources and reference materials it has received and is referencing.
The WGRI’s membership is comprised of individuals from the Board of Governors, students, staff, faculty, alumni and senior administration.