Projects

The sds feel that Brown needs to have an organization that unites the many activist groups on campus. Even members of activist organizations themselves (let alone the rest of the Brown community) are often unaware of what other groups are doing and how they can help. Because the communication between groups is poor, similar events are often planned at conflicting times, and groups that should be cooperating feel like they have to compete with each other.

Aside from solving logistical problems and facilitating the planning and promotion of speakers and events, having a unified pan-left organization would enable groups to collaborate on major actions that need as much support as possible.

We recognize that some members of activist groups might not agree with the members of other activist groups on all issues. However, we do feel that we all can agree on an overarching goal: the revitalization of political activism at Brown.

RESOLUTION ON THE CREATION OF A SOCIAL CHOISE FUND

Presented: 11/30/05 Vote: 12/7/05

Drafted: Kate Brandt, Zachary Townsend, Sarah Saxton-Frump, Cash McCracken, Trevor Stutz, Courtney Hull, Daniel MacCombie

WHEREAS Brown University strives to be a responsible member of local, national, and global communities, and

WHEREAS investment practices should be a positive reflection on institutional values, and

WHEREAS Brown should offer to donors the option of a Social Choice Fund that guarantees investment in accordance with the donor's values, and

WHEREAS Socially Responsible Investing is "an investment process that considers the social and environmental consequences of investment, both positive and negative, within the context of rigorous financial analysis,1" and

WHEREAS Socially Responsible Investment assets grew 40% faster than other managed assets in the United States between 1995 and 20032, and

WHEREAS schools such as Hampshire College, Williams College, Vassar College, Brandeis College, and Mount Holyoke College have successfully moved a portion of their endowments into Socially Responsible Funds3, and

WHEREAS by creating a Social Choice Fund, Brown University would be taking a leading and significant role among our peers in the fastest-growing investment industry in the United States4, and

WHEREAS over 1100 signatures from students, alumni, parents, and donors have endorsed two petitions encouraging the University to create a Social Choice Fund, and

WHEREAS a number of potential donors to the Boldly Brown Campaign use SRI criteria to inform their personal investments, and would likely appreciate the option of donating to a Social Choice Fund, and

WHEREAS the anonymous donors of a $2 million gift requested that the sum be invested in a Social Choice Fund,5 and

WHEREAS the donors are a manifestation of a "significantly high level of donor interest," and

WHEREAS creating a Social Choice fund will not negatively affect our endowment, and in fact "funds invested socially responsibly outperformed the Standard & Poor's 500 over the last five years6," and:

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that a Social Choice Fund will offer more options to potential donors, increase the rate of donation, and expand the donor base, in addition to promoting positive social and environmental change, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Undergraduate Council of Students urges the Brown Corporation to establish a Social Choice Fund within the Brown University Endowment, into which students, alumni, parents, and supporters can donate their money to be invested in mutual funds and stocks selected on financial and socially responsible criteria.