Board Re-appoints Fr. Sundborg to Five-year Term; Acts on Socially Responsible Investing

As the month of February came to a close, Seattle University’s Board of Trustees voted to reappoint Stephen V. Sundborg, S.J., to another five-year term as president, and took actions to strengthen the university’s socially responsible investing policies.

The unanimous decision to a reappoint Fr. Steve to a fifth, five-year term, covering 2017-2022, followed a comprehensive evaluation of Fr. Steve’s service, leadership and accomplishments. An outside consultancy was engaged to oversee the evaluation based on in-depth interviews and surveys of university stakeholders.

“Fr. Steve has led Seattle University to new heights of excellence and impact over the past two decades,” said Bob Ratliffe, board chair. “Working together with an exceptional faculty and staff, he has extended the reach of SU’s Jesuit Catholic education to more students from more regions, elevated the academic reputation of the university regionally, nationally and internationally, created a mission-driven culture across the campus community, established the nationally recognized Youth Initiative and engineered Seattle U’s return to NCAA Division I athletics. We look forward to Fr. Steve’s continued service as president and working with him over the next five years to build upon an impressive record of achievement.”

Socially Responsible Investing Action Items Approved

The board also approved two important actions related to socially responsible investing (SRI). The first one was to approve three amendments to the Investment Policy Statement. The amendments establish the SRI Advisory Working Group; explicitly restrict the university from making direct investments in fossil fuel companies; and include environmental, social and governance factors among the criteria for selecting and evaluating investment managers.

The second action was to approve a charter for the new SRI Advisory Working Group, a permanent standing sub-committee of the board’s investment committee. As stated in the charter, the working group will provide information and make recommendations to the investment committee on SRI issues. It will consist of key stakeholder representatives, including students, faculty, administrators, alumni and trustees.