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Forum on University Investments and Campus Sustainability Set for Nov. 9

Two university committees will hold a joint open forum focusing on the university’s investments related to sustainability at 6 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in the Holsti-Anderson Room in Rubenstein Library.

The forum will be led by Duke Law Professor James Cox, chair of the Advisory Committee on Investment Responsibility (ACIR), and Professor Tim Profeta and Tavey Capps of the Campus Sustainability Committee (CSC). Profeta is co-chair of CSC and Capps serves as the campus sustainability director.

Members of the Duke community are invited to learn more about the committees’ work and to share ideas about how university initiatives and investments can help promote sustainability and social responsibility. The forum is part of both committees’ mission to involve the campus community in their work.

ACIR advises the president on social responsibility issues related to the university’s endowment. Last year, after a request from a student group, ACIR made recommendations related to the university’s investment in fossil fuels.  Additionally, the committee has offered recommendations on the transparency of endowment holdings, and investments related to “conflict minerals” and Darfur. (The reports can be found here.)

CSC guides campus sustainability policies, including development of Duke’s Climate Action Plan (CAP) to achieve carbon neutrality. The CAP, endorsed in 2009 by the Duke Board of Trustees, has since developed into a broader Sustainability Strategic Plan focusing on water, waste, natural resources and other campus sustainability topics.  (The 2015 progress report can be found here.)

Cox said the joint meeting would be valuable to allow the campus community discuss university sustainability investments in the broadest context, including both endowment holdings and initiatives such as carbon offsets and water and waste reduction strategies.