Ad Hoc Committee on Divestment

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In spring 2020, a group of students submitted a request that the university divest from fossil fuels. The chair of the Joint Committee on Investments (JCOI) and the CFO and EVP for Finance and Administration made a preliminary determination that the students’ request appears to meet the standards outlined in the Investment Policy.
The Ad Hoc Committee on Divestment will advise the JCOI on a response to this divestment request that assesses the views of the university community, carefully considers the ethical and fiduciary responsibilities of the investment committee and the boards, and recommends appropriate next steps.
The committee will consider three major questions related to the divestment request at hand:
- Whether there is a consensus among a wide array of stakeholders that the subject of the divestment request is a concern that affects either the university community and/or people beyond its borders;
- Whether the university community has taken action to disengage from the organization, industry, or entity being considered (for example, in its purchasing decisions);
- Whether the subject of the divestment request is a social injury of such magnitude that, if not addressed, will directly affect a significant number of individuals.
The Ad Hoc Committee on Divestment will advise the JCOI on a response to this divestment request that assesses the views of the university community, carefully considers the ethical and fiduciary responsibilities of the investment committee and the boards, and recommends appropriate next steps. The ad hoc committee will be committed to conducting an inclusive, thoughtful review process that can serve as an example for future reviews.
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Ad Hoc Committee on Divestment
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- Brian Ballentine, Chair
Senior Vice President, Office of University Strategy - Michael Barnett
Professor, Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick - Enobong (Anna) Branch
Senior Vice President for Equity - Joanne Ciulla
Professor, Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick; Director, Institute for Ethical Leadership - Sarah Dadush
Professor, Rutgers Law School - Adam Day
Associate Vice President and Associate Treasurer, University Finance and Administration - Shaunak Kale
Student, Rutgers University Student Assembly - Abhi Kaneria
Student, Rutgers University–Camden - Jason MacDonald, ex-officio
Chief Investment Officer, University Finance and Administration - Sacha (Alexandra) Patera
Associate Vice President, Corporate Engagement Center - Cymie Payne
Associate Professor, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and Rutgers Law School - Jacob Russell
Professor, Rutgers Law School - Menahem Spiegel
Professor, Rutgers Business School–Newark and New Brunswick; member, Rutgers University Senate - Jordan Warner
Student, Rutgers University–Newark - Zunaira Wasim
Student, Rutgers University Student Assembly
- Brian Ballentine, Chair
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- Robert Roesener
Associate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Office of General Counsel - Jennifer Soyka
Associate General Counsel, Office of General Counsel - Kristen Baker
Executive Assistant, Office of the President
- Robert Roesener