| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 67.98 |
| Liaison | Peter Barker |
| Submission Date | March 14, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
St. John's University, New York
PA-14: Sustainable Investment
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.46 / 4.00 |
Joanna
Shields STARS Research Analyst Facilities |
Total value of the investment pool:
Value of holdings in each of the following categories::
| Value of Holdings | |
| Sustainable industries (e.g. renewable energy or sustainable forestry) | 30,000,000 US/Canadian $ |
| Businesses selected for exemplary sustainability performance (e.g. using criteria specified in a sustainable investment policy) | 10,000,000 US/Canadian $ |
| Sustainability investment funds (e.g. a renewable energy or impact investment fund) | 8,000,000 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 $ |
A brief description of the companies, funds, and/or institutions referenced above:
The University endowment includes investments in companies engaged in renewable/sustainable activities, but reaches less than 5% of the total.
Does the institution have a publicly available sustainable investment policy?:
A copy of the sustainable investment policy:
The sustainable investment policy:
The University does not have a "Sustainable Investment Policy" specifically, but utilizes a Social Policy that includes sustainable principles. An excerpt from the Social policy is below:
"St. John's University commits itself to an investment policy that reflects both its identity as a Catholic university as well as its intention to promote the basic moral values of fairness, respect for human life, defense of human rights, and social justice. One privileged source of clarity in this work of ethical discernment is to be found in the established social teachings of the Catholic Church.
There are many ways in which the University can have a positive influence on society and the Church. Foremost among these is the wise allocation of the University's resources to support teaching and research. In addition, the University is an employer, a user of products and services, and a participant in specific social, economic, and political orders. In all of these areas there is a moral obligation to adhere to the highest standards of social responsibility."
Does the institution use its sustainable investment policy to select and guide investment managers?:
A brief description of how the policy is applied, including recent examples:
Does the institution's sustainable investment policy include negative screens?:
A brief description of the negative screens and how they have been implemented:
Approximate percentage of the endowment that the negative screens apply to:
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?:
A copy of the proxy voting guidelines or proxy record:
A brief description of how managers are adhering to proxy voting guidelines:
Where possible, the University directs its investment managers to vote proxies consistent with realizing the best possible return for the endowment and the University’s social policy.
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?:
Examples of how the institution has engaged with corporations in its portfolio about sustainability issues during the previous three years:
Not aware of any such actions.
Does the institution engage in policy advocacy by participating in investor networks and/or engaging in inter-organizational collaborations to share best practices?:
A brief description of the investor networks and/or collaborations:
The University participates in a variety of formal and informal investor networks to collaborate and share best practices on a variety of topics.
The website URL where information about the institution's sustainable investment efforts is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.