A growing number of public institutions are adopting responsible investing (RI) policies, based on environmental, social and governance criteria. The University of Guelph’s Board of Governors has established a Working Group on Responsible Investing (WGRI) to help it consider responsible investing practices for its investment policy for the University’s endowment fund.

Referring to best practices in RI at other Canadian universities and non-profit organizations, the working group will prepare a report on responsible investment policy recommendations for consideration by the finance committee, which will recommend to the Board any changes to relevant University policies and procedures that affect the endowment fund.

The Board will make the final decision on any recommendations in keeping with the endowment fund’s goal to achieve the highest returns possible at an acceptable level of risk, while meeting the University’s objectives and values.

The working group consists of members from the Board, senior administration, students, staff, faculty and alumni. The finance committee will present its recommendations on RI to the Board later this year. For more information about the WGRI, visit the University Secretariat’s website.