BOT Divests from Fossil Fuels
Published: June 30, 2015
CHENEY, Wash. - Eastern Washington University’s Board of Trustees has directed the university to take decisive steps toward socially responsible investing. At its June 26 meeting, the Board unanimously supported a motion to divest its endowed funds from fossil fuel investments. Additionally, it directed the university to pursue changes to its investment policy to engage in socially responsible investment strategies. Universities around the country have demonstrated that their portfolios can continue to achieve optimal returns without investments in fossil fuels.
"I am proud of our trustees and the leadership at EWU for taking this step to be responsible stewards of our environment,” said JoAnn Kauffman, chair of the Board of Trustees. “This action, along with EWU's comprehensive sustainability plans, will help make EWU a part of the solution and not a part of the problem.”
Eastern is a signatory to the American College & University Presidents’ Climate Commitment, a national pledge to help reduce global warming and address climate change. The university has set a goal to be a national leader in sustainable practices and is developing a sustainability master plan to align with its overall strategic plan.
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