Members of the McMaster community utilized opportunities this fall and winter to share their views on the university’s investing.

Last October, the university launched a new portal for submissions on specific university investments and investment approaches. About 550 submissions have now been received from faculty, staff and students.

In December, the university released a new draft set of Principles of Responsible Investment to work in alignment with McMaster’s Statement of Investment Policies and Procedures, which is the primary policy document guiding the investment of university funds. Members of the community had until January 31st to send in their suggestions. About 2,600 submissions were received.

“It is not surprising that there are many varied and sometimes opposing perspectives on these important issues,” said president David Farrar. “Having a clear set of principles for responsible investing that are not an instrument to advance one particular political or social view will be a helpful guide for the Board of Governors and its Investment Pool Committee.”

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.

A revised draft of the Principles of Responsible Investment will go through normal approval process over the next several weeks with the document expected to be before the Board at its April meeting.  Once approved, the Principles will assist the Investment Pool Committee review submissions that were sent through the Investments Portal.

The university made a commitment last spring, as part of the agreement to end the encampment, to review and update its Social Responsibility and Investments policy from 1980. The Principles of Responsible Investment document was drafted to replace the policy.  The Investments Portal was also developed as part of the agreement to end the encampment.