The university has rejected student requests to join the boycott, divest and sanctions movement and divest its endowment from companies that do business in or are located in Israel.
The governor will consider passing a law that would bar state colleges or universities in the state from considering ESG-related factors when making an investment decision.
The university approved adding a small-cap value equity fund and an all-equity ESG fund as fund options for participants within its defined contribution plan this month.
The decision comes despite pressures from students, staff and the larger university community regarding the investment and management of the portfolio.
Political pressure has deterred 10% of asset owners from continuing to incorporate ESG considerations into their investment decisions as 34% of the institutions find responding to the backlash time consuming and costly, 24% of them fearing litigation and 14% feeling pressure from stakeholders, new research shows.
The university’s special committee on investment responsibility has decided to take no action on a student-led proposal to divest its endowment from companies supporting the Israel Defense Forces.