Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing

Purpose

In 2024 the Western Washington University Board of Trustees (BOT) established the Advisory Committee on Socially Responsible Investing (ACSRI). The purpose of the committee is to evaluate proposals for review of investments currently held by various entities at Western.

The ACSRI’s main purpose will be to evaluate requests for review, which meet the criteria set forth by the committee, of an investment submitted by members of the University community.  And to critically look at other financial matters, as requested by the Board of Trustees.

Membership and Terms

The ACSRI will consist of 8 voting members with consideration given to shared governance representation.  See the updated roster included on the website for specific names of committee members.

ACSRI Membership will include the following:

  • 2 faculty members, selected by the Faculty Senate;
  • 2 students, selected by the Associated Students;
  • 2 members closely affiliated with the University, such as alumni or donors, including one representative from the Foundation Board, selected by the BOT Executive Committee;
  • 1 representative from the BOT, selected by the BOT Executive Committee; and
  • 1 member of the university staff, selected by the University President. 
  • Ex Officio Members (non-voting senior staff members):
    • Executive and Liaison to the BOT 
    • Chief of Staff to the President
    • Staff member from the Foundation

Meeting Summaries

Governing Documents

  1. ACSRI Charter
  2. ACSRI Charge

2024-2025 Appointee Roster

The roster of ACSRI appointees for the 2024-2025 Academic Year is as follows: 

  • BOT representative: 
    • Chase Franklin, ACSRI Chair
  • Student representatives: 
    • Liam Pratt 
    • Jasmine Welaye 
  • Faculty representatives: 
    • Natalie Baloy 
    • Theresa Warburton 
  • Community representative: 
    • Sue Sharpe 
  • Foundation Board representative: 
    • Colette Taylor
  • Staff representative: 
    • Andrea Rodger
  • Ex-Officio Members:
    • Mark Brovak
    • Becca Kenna-Schenk
    • Rebecca Hansen-Zeller

Meetings

The ACSRI will be convened when the BOT Executive Committee deems that a proposal for review of an investment meets the minimum criteria established under this charter. ACSRI meetings will be held during the academic year (from October through May) and shall occur at least once per academic year. ACSRI meetings are open to ACSRI members and guests invited by the Chair of the ACSRI. Approved minutes from ACSRI meetings will be published on the ACSRI website.  All final recommendations from the ACSRI will be delivered to the BOT in an open public meeting, and opportunity will be given for public comment prior to the BOT taking action on the recommendation.

Proposals for Review of an Investment 

Any WWU student, faculty member, or staff may submit a proposal for review of an investment (see submission section on this website) to the BOT Executive Committee. 

Proposals will be reviewed to ensure there is evidence of a broad and continuing base of support within the University community. Evidence of such support is outlined in the ASCRI charter, please see the document for specific criteria.

If the proposal is judged to meet these guidelines, the ACSRI will be convened by the BOT Executive Committee.

Upon the Executive Committee’s convening of the ACSRI, the ACSRI will evaluate investments using the criteria outline in the committee charter.

During the first quarter of its convening, the ACSRI will develop a policy recommendation, subject to BOT approval, on socially responsible investing (as referenced in section 4(a)) that aligns with the United Nations Principles of Responsible Investing

Form goes here

Form

Reporting

All proposals for review of an investment shall be posted on this ACSRI website. The final disposition of each request submitted will also be published on the website. All actions taken by WWU or the Foundation based on ACSRI recommendations will also be published on this website.

For Questions on the Committee Contact

Rebecca Hansen-Zeller
Executive and Liaison to the Board of Trustees
360-650-4071 hanse65@wwu.edu