This initiative that started with former Comptroller Joe Ste. Marie, has been passed on to the new executive board. They had Fossil Free AU in mind when going into the past week’s Board of Trustee meetings.

“The members of Fossil Free AU have done a lot of hard work. I was honored to bring the voices of students to the table at the meetings I attended this week,” said President Patrick Kelly. “The creation of a Committee on Socially Responsible Investing adheres to Goal 7 of the University Strategic Plan. It’s fitting that the first discussion that will take place in it is fossil fuel divestment.”

Goal 7 of the Strategic Plan is to “Act on Our Values through Social Responsibility and Service.”

Comptroller Ben Johnson sat on the Finance and Investment Committee this week in which he spoke to the members about Fossil Free AU and the importance of divestment. He gave a presentation to the Committee

“This is not the end of the conversation,” said Johnson. “There is still a lot of work to do; this committee is a good start for long term initiatives. Pat and I will continue to talk to students about the implementation of this committee going forward and ensure the board adopts divestment without delay.”

The American University Student Government represents the needs and collective voice of over 6,000 undergraduates. Our mission is to advocate for policies that will tangibly benefit students, offer top-notch programs and lasting traditions, provide services and resources to students, and work with clubs and student leaders to establish a positive cohesion between our groups.

Contact:

Sarah Preston, Press Secretary

Telephone 202.885.6451

E-mail: press@ausg.org:

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Comptroller Joe Ste. Marie calls for the creation of a University-recognized committee that will be charged with reviewing the University’s investing practices each academic year. The committee will make recommendations to the Vice President of Finance, President, and the Board of Trustees.

“Socially responsible investing is quickly becoming the standard. Students contribute 90% of the University’s operating funds and they deserve a say in how those funds are spent and invested. This Committee is an important step towards that end,” Ste.Marie said. “It’s time to bring all the stakeholders to the table.”

The petition will be released via the Student Government Facebook and Twitter.

“We would like to get 1,000 signatures to demonstrate that a significant part of the AU population supports this,” Ste. Marie said.

The American University Student Government represents the needs and collective voice of over 6,000 undergraduates. Our mission is to advocate for policies that will tangibly benefit students, offer top-notch programs and lasting traditions, provide services and resources to students, and work with clubs and student leaders to establish a positive cohesion between our groups.

Link to the petition: http://www.change.org/petitions/american-university-create-a-committee-on-socially-responsible-investing

Contact:

Rosemary Cipriano, Communications Director

Telephone 202.885.6420

E-mail: rosemary.cipriano@ausg.org:

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The referendum resolved “that the American University Undergraduate Senate support University administrators and the Board of Trustees in taking steps to ensure that American University divests its endowment from fossil fuel companies over time.”

The Fossil Free A.U. organization attended the Senate meeting on March 24th, advocating for the inclusion of the referendum on the ballot.

“Once again, A.U. has the opportunity to be on the right side of history,” said a representative from the AU United Methodist Community.

With wide support amongst the student community, Undergraduate Senators stressed the importance of A.U. standing at the forefront of the fossil free movement.

“This is a really important issue,” said primary sponsor of the bill, Undergraduate Senator Amanda Sands. “It’s happening at university’s across the country. It’s time for us to step up as leaders as we have in the past.”

Dr. Simon Nicholson, a Professor at the School of International Service also advocated on behalf of the faculty at A.U.. “This proposal has wide support amongst the staff and faculty on campus,” said Nicholson, “a similar proposal will be going before the [Faculty] Senate shortly.”

The referendum will be included on the ballot along with Spring Elections from 9:00am April 2nd to 5:00pm April 3rd.

The American University Student Government represents the needs and collective voice of over 6,000 undergraduates. Our mission is to advocate for policies that will tangibly benefit students, offer top-notch programs and lasting traditions, provide services and resources to students, and work with clubs and student leaders to establish a positive cohesion between our groups.

Contact:

Rosemary Cipriano, Communications Director

Telephone 202.885.6420

E-mail: rosemary.cipriano@ausg.org:

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