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Divesting the University of Alberta’s Endowment
Case 9 100 2024 001
Case published in the International Journal of Case Studies in Management, Vol. 22, No. 2
Languages : 
  • English
Keywords: 
  • responsible investing,
  • higher education,
  • divestment,
  • fossil fuel,
  • sustainability
Year of production : 
2024
Registration date : 
2024-05-15
Teaching notes included : 
Yes
Abstract

This case examines the ongoing pressure from the Climate Action Coalition for the University of Alberta to divest from fossil fuels and the role of the AVP in this debate. The Climate Action Coalition began in 2020 as a movement involving students, faculty, and staff members at the University of Alberta to protest the continued investment of the Investment Pool’s $1.73 billion in the fossil fuel industry. This complicated debate centres around the university’s perceived moral and financial responsibilities. The case also looks at alternative ESG investment possibilities that offer a suitable middle ground between stakeholders. The AVP must create a strong plan to satisfy the needs of both the university and climate activists and end this ongoing conflict. Students are asked to imagine themselves as the AVP and to weigh the pros and cons of full divestment and of alternative options in the development of that plan. The plan should align with a fiduciary duty to gain the support of the investment oversight committee, senior administration, and Board of Governors.

Primary domain : 
Business ethics  - Corporate social responsibility
Secondary domain : 
Finance
Sectors : 
  • Education and training
Source : 
Elsewhere
Type : 
Traditional case (Descriptive or analytical case)
Type of data used in the production of the case : 
Factual data that is public and free of potentially litigious content
Event location : 
Canada
Year of start of the event : 
2020
Year the event ended : 
2023
Business size : 
Self-employed worker
Teaching objectives

The case is intended to enable students to do the following:

  • Demonstrate critical analysis skills
  • Understand the importance of weighing financial and moral considerations when formulating a business model