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Oct. 6 Forum for Duke Community to Discuss Social Impact of University Investments

The recently reconstituted Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility (ACIR) will hold its first open forum of the year to discuss the committee's work over the past year and to hear suggested items for its consideration.

The forum will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Oct. 6, in 217 Perkins Library.

Chaired by law professor James Cox, ACIR advises President Richard H. Brodhead on social responsibility issues related to the university’s endowment.

The committee previously has made recommendations regarding conflict minerals and Darfur. Brodhead revised the committee's charge and composition in 2013 as part of sweeping changes made to Duke's approach to socially responsible investing.

Cox said the committee is currently focused not on specific issues, but on identifying general guidelines that promote the values of socially responsible investing while also growing the university's resources.

The forum presents the Duke community an opportunity to discuss social effects associated with university endowment holdings, Cox said. "This is to hear from the Duke community as part of the agenda-setting responsibilities of ACIR for items it may engage and could issue recommendations to President Brodhead."

The committee has three immediate tasks:

  • Develop and make public revised and streamlined procedures for members of the Duke community to bring questions and issues forward for the committee's consideration;
  • Develop a public website to support and communicate Duke's commitment to socially responsible investment; and
  • Consider the proposal by Divest Duke to immediately freeze any new investment in fossil-fuel companies, and to divest within five years from direct ownership and from any commingled funds that include fossil-fuel public equities and corporate bonds. The committee also should explore other options beyond full divestment.