1. Dealing with Divestment.
- Author
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Coons, Christopher A.
- Abstract
Policy standards and actions that U.S. colleges and universities can follow concerning South Africa-related investment are discussed, based on a survey of 175 colleges. Investment policy standards include: not investing in companies unless they provide information to shareholders about their business activities in South Africa, not investing in companies unless they sign the Sullivan Principles or an equivalent policy, determining whether companies have implemented and adhered to the Sullivan principles, identifying companies making strategic sales to South Africa (i.e., military or police), refusing to hold investments in banks that make loans to the South African government, prohibiting holding investments in companies that have any operations in South Africa (total divestment), making distinctions about the kind of operations a company undertakes in South Africa, and adopting a deadline for total divestment. Policy actions that can be taken when policy standards have not been met are: contacting the company before divesting, supporting or introducing shareholder resolutions, developing strategies for divestment, managing portfolio impacts of divestment, boycotting goods and services from South African-related companies, managing public relations, and supporting initiatives to help South African students and schools. (SW)
- Published
- 1986