Press Releases on Socially Responsible Investment

The University of Edinburgh has issued the following two press statements relating to socially responsible investments:

On 3^rd June 2008 the University released the following statement in response to an inquiry from The Big Issue magazine, who were seeking clarification on the investment principles of the USS pension scheme:

"The USS set its own investment principles but the University of Edinburgh's Investment Committee and the University's fund managers strictly adhere to a socially responsible investment policy. The University has in place procedures to consider any matters that are raised and the University Court's approach is one of engagement with companies on ethical issues through the fund managers' Corporate Governance Unit."

On 22^nd October 2007 the University released the following statement in response to a call from The Scotsman newspaper about whether the University has investments in Total and/or Burma:

"The University of Edinburgh's Investment Committee and the University's fund managers strictly adhere to a socially responsible investment policy. The University has in place procedures to consider any matters that are raised and the University Court's approach is one of engagement with companies on ethical issues through the our fund managers' Corporate Governance Unit. The University currently holds 16,640 shares in Total, with a present market value of £647,219. This value represents 0.3% of the University's overall endowment investment fund."