JCR Motion Monday 6th of June

Posted on 02/06/05 by Anon

We are discussing a motion in our JCR meeting monday of 7th week Trinity Term calling for a disinvestment in arms and investigation of investing through ethical funds entirely. If it goes through, we will present a document to the governing body meeting in week 8.

our jcr motion:

This JCR Notes
1. That the College currently has a policy on taking social and ethical
considerations into account in their investments in UK companies, and to engage
with companies on these issues.
2. That despite this, the College invests in the major UK arms company BAE
systems.
3. That Mansfield College has a policy of not investing in companies producing
arms, as does Bath University.

This JCR Believes
1. That by investing in Arms companies, the College is not taking its policy on
Socially Responsible Investment seriously.
2. That a policy committing clearly to not investing in arms companies would
send a strong message of social responsibility which would be an example to other colleges and universities.
3. That it is possible to conduct a socially responsible investment policy
without transgressing charitable law or causing detriment to the College's
financial recourses.

This JCR Resolves
1. To write a further proposal to the governing body, suggesting:
a)That they disinvest entirely in arms companies.
b)That they look into the possibility of investing through funds managed according to broader ethical criteria.
2. To request that the governing body allows information about investments to be made available to the JCR on a regular basis.
3. To get the JCR to appoint a group of students to be responsible for monitoring the investments made by the college.


Below is the current SRI-policy of the college, that was decided upon after an extensive campaign in the college a few years ago:
'The Trustees have considered how social, environmental and ethical factors
should be taken into account in the selection, retention and realisation of
investments. Whilst acknowledging their primary responsibility is to act in the
best financial interest of the beneficiaries, the Trustees will instruct our
investment managers to monitor the corporate Social Responsibilities undertaken
by UK companies, and to pursue a policy of constructive engagement. These
activities will be incorporated into the quarterly Manager's Report.'