Both the Alligator and the UF student body support establishing a committee on socially responsible investment (SRI) to align the endowment with UF's mission and values. This is a great idea.
By adopting such a committee, UF would join with 24 other schools around the country, including 16 of the top 20 (according to U.S. News and World Report) that have chosen to apply SRI strategies to their endowments. These schools represent over $112 billion in combined endowment assets and have proven SRI does not adversely affect the bottom line.
How can schools use SRI without hurting their investments?
By engaging in shareholder advocacy, divesting when appropriate, engaging in positive investing in companies that exemplify good environmental, social, and governance practices, and by remaining accountable to their communities with town halls for students to bring forward their concerns.
Nowhere are they required to release their portfolios to the public daily or to severely limit their investments.
Most schools release holdings only with a six-month time lag, and most do not engage in screening investments. A UF committee could easily adopt such practices.
I encourage students, faculty, and staff to support the UF Responsible Endowments Coalition as it continues to lobby for an SRI committee.
The administration has the information it needs and the students have spoken. It's time for the administration to act.
