People, Planet, Profits: The Development of a Triple Bottom Line for Connecticut College

My senior integrative project investigates the ways in which Connecticut College can align its investment strategies with its mission to act as a global environmental steward. One of the ways in which Connecticut College can meet the dual goals of environmental stewardship and financial success is by developing a socially responsible investment (SRI) strategy. In this report, the definitions of SRI and the triple bottom line are explored, along with current SRI strategies and investment options. Additionally, the ways in which colleges and universities throughout the nation have implemented SRI strategies are evaluated in relation to Connecticut College. Following an examination of SRI strategies, a framework for the development of SRI at Connecticut College is developed. This framework details the possible creation of an SRI advisory committee and an alternative giving fund for alumni and potential donors. The purpose of the SRI advisory committee is to provide information on SRI to the college administration, eventually leading to the creation of an alternative giving fund based upon SRI. Overall, this framework for the development of an alternative giving fund at Connecticut College represents a series of progressive steps the college can take in fully integrating SRI into its investment strategies. If this framework is developed, it would reveal a significant shift in the way in which Connecticut College views its investments and exemplifies its status as an active global citizen.