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The Northwestern community at large, however, currently has very little knowledge of or involvement in NU�s financial decision-making process. In order to change this and to promote University decisions that support the social values of the Northwestern community, Students for Economic Justice has proposed the creation of a Socially Conscious Finances Committee (SCFC).

The SCFC -- similar to committees at numerous other schools including Harvard, Yale, Stanford, and Columbia -- would be an advisory committee including a mix of students, staff, and faculty, and would address the connections between social issues and university investment and spending. It would hold open forums and solicit concerns and suggestions from the University community. Among other things, the committee could:

• Research socially conscious investment opportunities and make recommendations

  Example: Recommending that the University put money into community investing, which means investing in financial institutions whose loans are completely focused on the development of poor, financially under-served communities. (Learn more about community investing.)

• Make recommendations for NU proxy voting on stockholder resolutions involving social issues

  Example: Recommending that the University vote to ask the companies we're invested in to respect the environment, workers' rights, and support diversity and equal treatment in their workforce, management, and corporate boards. (Examples of proxy voting and shareholder activism.)

• Study and make recommendations regarding any social screens on investing

  Example: Recommending that the University not invest in companies that are involved in human rights violations.

• Address labor issues involving university licensees

  Example: Recommending that the University not renew their contract with a company producing NU apparel which violates workers' rights.