McMaster is committed to responsible investing. The university has developed a new draft set of principles to work in alignment with the University’s Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures, which is the primary policy document guiding the investment of university funds.

“McMaster is a global university,” said President David Farrar. “We have a responsibility to ensure that all of our activities align with our mission and vision, including our fundamental commitment to upholding academic freedom and freedom of expression.”

The Principles of Responsible Investment are a high-level commitment to responsible investing based on the university’s role as an institution of higher learning with a collective commitment to advancing human and societal health and well-being. All members of the university community are invited to provide feedback.

“The diversity of the university community means that it encompasses many varied and sometimes opposing perspectives,” Farrar said. “People have different lived experiences and the principles are not an instrument to advance any one particular political or social view. The goal is to outline the fundamental principles that will guide the university’s investment approach over the foreseeable future.”

Under the McMaster University Act the Board of Governors is primarily responsible for overseeing the university’s investments. Board members have a fiduciary duty to act in the best interests of the university, which includes its long-term financial well-being. The Principles, along with the Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures, will provide the ongoing policy framework for McMaster’s investment decisions.

The university made a commitment in the spring, as part of the agreement to end the encampment, to review and update its Social Responsibility and Investments policy from 1980.

Click here for the draft principles. Feedback is encouraged through investment.principles@mcmaster.ca with those providing feedback asked to do so by January 31, 2025. 

Once feedback is received and a final draft has been prepared, the Principles will go to the Board of Governors for approval.

The investment feedback form which was introduced in October, is in place to receive comments regarding any specific university investments. The university released its first annual reporting of its investments earlier this fall.