Below are descriptions of two campaigns that have the potential to make a
significant impact upon the social responsibility of corporate America. We
hope you take a personal interest in promoting either or both campaigns, or
can publicize them to others. Feel free to utilize any information below.
(Please follow the guidelines of your institution or organization for
forwarding/posting electronic information.) Thank you.
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GRADUATION PLEDGE ALLIANCE
In 1987, Humboldt State University (California) initiated the Pledge of
Social and Environmental Responsibility. It states, "I pledge to investigate
and take into account the social and environmental consequences of any job
opportunity I consider." Since that time, dozens of colleges and universities
have enacted the voluntary pledge, which allows students to define what
"responsible" means to them. Graduates who signed the pledge have turned down
jobs they did not feel morally comfortable with. In one case, a graduate
convinced her employer to refuse a chemical weapons contract.
In 1996, Manchester College began coordination of the campaign effort,
which has taken different forms at different institutions. At Manchester, it
is a community-wide event coordinated by a diverse committee. Fifty to sixty
percent of students sign and keep a wallet-size card stating the pledge,
while students and supportive faculty wear green ribbons at commencement and
the pledge is printed in the formal commencement program. The pledge helps
educate and motivate students to contribute to a better world, and can be a
focal point for other types of consciousness raising both on and off campus.
Contact Neil Wollman at [log in to unmask] for an explanatory brochure or for
questions/comments; or write GPA, MC Box 135, Manchester College, 604 E.
College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962. The Campaign also has a web site,
at http://www.manchester.edu (click on "index," then "Graduation Pledge
Alliance"). Please keep us informed of your pledge efforts.
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SOCIAL CHOICE FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW TIAA-CREF
TELL TIAA-CREF, THE PENSION FUND FOR COLLEGE FACULTY, THAT YOU SUPPORT
"POSITIVE INVESTING" FOR THE SOCIAL CHOICE ACCOUNT! SEND EMAIL TO
[log in to unmask], PHONE (800) 842-2733, OR WRITE TO 730 THIRD AVE., NY,
NY 10017-3206. (To circulate a petition, contact the campaign at the address
below.)
Despite the fact that over 80 percent of TIAA-CREF's Social Choice
Account participants favor "seeking out for investment companies [that] have
an outstanding record of good performance on social issues, rather than rely
on negative screens," the company has refused to do just that. This was
revealed in a survey conducted by TIAA-CREF--the Teachers Insurance and
Annuity Association-College Retirement Equities Fund--which also found that
only 3 percent oppose this investment strategy.
In response, college faculty have launched a nationwide campaign to
persuade TIAA-CREF to begin "positive investing" of their pension funds. We
are calling for 5-10% of assets in the Social Choice Account, a socially
responsible fund, to be invested in companies that are models of social and
environmental responsibility. This would mean $100-200 million invested in
companies with, for instance, exemplary relations with employees or local
communities.
TIAA-CREF is the nation's largest private pension system. In 1989, we
successfully lobbied the group for the creation of the Social Choice Account,
which screens out companies that do business in tobacco, alcohol, nuclear
energy or weapons, or the military; pollute the environment; or operate in
Northern Ireland without endorsing the McBride Principles against religious
discrimination in employment. It is now the largest socially responsible
account in the country.
For a brochure and other campaign materials, contact Social Choice for
Social Change: Campaign for a New TIAA-CREF, MC Box 135, Manchester College,
604 E. College Ave., North Manchester, IN 46962, (219)982-5346/5009, or
e-mail Neil Wollman at [log in to unmask] or Abigail Fuller at
[log in to unmask] Visit the web site at http://www.manchester.edu (click on
"index," then "Social Choice for Social Change"). If you do contact TIAA-CREF
or take other actions, please let us know so we can monitor campaign
activities. Thank you
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