The Public Interest Investment Advisory Committee (PIIAC) is an advisory body created by the trustees of Johns Hopkins to help support and advise the board of trustees in making responsible investment decisions for the university’s endowment managed by the JHU Investment Office.
The investment-review process has been in place for more than 30 years, and the PIIAC has existed as a standing committee since 2014. The process is always available to JHU community members, who may submit proposals at any time.
The PIIAC welcomes submission of proposals from members of the university community (students, faculty, staff, or alumni) by email.
Proposals should address the questions listed below. Note that while questions 4 and 5 are not required, the PIIAC and other groups will consider all five questions in their reviews. Therefore, it’s recommended that proposals answer all five questions as completely as possible.
Describe the specific action(s) the university’s Investment Office is being asked to take in connection with the funds it manages. Proposals must directly relate to investment decisions and may also discuss alternative investment actions that might be appropriate in lieu of, or in addition to, the specific remedy requested by the proposal.
State the policies or practices of the company or companies that are asserted to cause a substantial social impact, and clearly document the nature and magnitude of that impact.
Describe the extent to which there has been broad-based, thoughtful, and reasoned interest among the university community regarding the issue of concern, for example, in the form of substantive dialogue about the issue or reflection on how the company’s practices conflict with the university’s ability to pursue its mission. Proposals may also describe the degree of consensus regarding the proposed action in the university community as well as in the broader society, and the arguments that form the basis of any perceived consensus.
Proposals may discuss the extent to which the proposed action may promote positive change in corporate practices, and/or what remedial actions taken by the company or companies in question would obviate the need for the proposed action. Proposals may also discuss any efforts—by those making the proposal or by others—to modify the practices of concern through constructive engagement with the companies and, if so, whether the company has been given the opportunity to modify those practices.
Proposals may also choose to address how the proposed action might negatively or positively affect the university’s endowment investment portfolio.
The PIIAC meets as needed, when proposals are submitted for consideration. A board subcommittee likewise meets on an ad hoc basis to review the PIIAC’s recommendations. The full Committee on Investments and the entire board of trustees meet quarterly, so the review process can take several months to over a year from start to finish.
Questions? Please e-mail [email protected].
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