Brown University (Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI))
Alumni Social Choice FundIn March 2007, the Brown University board approved the creation of a Social Choice Fund. This provides alumni with a way to make their University donations to a fund designated for environmentally and socially conscious investment. This victory is the success of a long campaign that SEI helped support and that was spearheaded by Courtney Hull ’06.
Middlebury College (Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI))
Joined Shareholder Responsibility Committee One of the most noteworthy victories in Year-1 was at Middlebury College. This past fall, Middlebury joined the growing group of colleges that have formed a shareholder responsibility committee. The committee directly involves students and advises the trustees on endowment matters pertaining to climate change, sustainability, and other vital issues. Student leadership and advocacy was critical to this victory
Syracuse University (Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI))
Shareholder Voting Policy for Endowment InvestmentsIn April 2007, Syracuse University created a new shareholder voting policy. This will enable the university to vote for climate change resolutions and other sustainability matters at the corporations in which the endowment invests. SEI provided guidance and support to Eric Ripley and other Syracuse University student leaders.
Whitman College (Sierra Student Coalition (SSC))
Alternative Energy Gift FundIn December 2006, the Campus Climate Challenge group at Whitman College in Walla Walla, WA convinced the school to establish and support an alternative energy gift fund that will allow alumni, faculty, parents, and students to purchase renewable energy for their loved ones at Whitman. The college’s Office of Development initiated and sponsored announcements that went out by mail and email to all alumni since 1958, and also to parents, faculty and staff. The fund has been very successful and has already grown to $12,000 just through individual donations. The students primarily involved in this effort were Juliana Williams, the leader of the Campus Climate Challenge group at Whitman, and Brittany Smith who headed up the alternative gift fund project group. Brittany’s strategy for the project was largely an insider strategy of working directly with the Office of Development.