Over the course of the past academic year, the ACIR held a number of meetings, including its annual open meeting in November 2023. The annual open meeting provides an opportunity for members of the Yale community to express concerns or raise questions related to the ethical investment of Yale’s Endowment.
The Committee continued to review and make voting recommendations on the University’s social responsibility proxies in accordance with the University’s ethical investment policies. More information about proxy voting guidelines may be found here.
The Committee continued to implement the Fossil Fuel Investment Principles, which were adopted by the Board of Trustees in 2021, and pursuant to which it has been determined coal producers and certain oil & gas companies are no longer eligible for investment by the Endowment. See here for more information.
Following a student group presentation focusing on the gun industry, the Committee identified certain aspects of the university’s assault weapon retailer divestment policy that warranted further study. Upon completion of its work, the ACIR recommended to the CCIR an update to the then-existing assault weapon retailer policy to include assault weapon manufacturers that engage in retailing activities. Upon the recommendation of the CCIR, the Board of Trustees adopted this update.
At the November 2023 open meeting, the Committee heard presentations related to fossil fuel investments, the defense industry, and military weapons manufacturing. The Committee considered all three proposals and decided not to recommend new policies.