Model Freedom of Information letter (College & University investments)

This form letter can be sent straight to any College officer, though you can find a list of College Freedom of Information Contacts in the FoI resources section. If you want to use it for a University, then you can, just substituting that 'University' for 'College' wherever it appears. If you want to find out what the results of requests to a particular college have been already, or if you want advise on responding to a college reply, you can contact tom@SRIoxford.org.uk .

To Whom It May Concern:

I hope that, under the Freedom of Information Act, the college will be able to provide me with the following points of information:

(i) A list of companies in which the college directly holds shares.

(ii) A list of the various funds, trackers and pools in which the college invests - both the name of each fund, and the manager who deals with it on the college's behalf?

(iii) A list of companies invested in by the funds, trackers and pools you hold funds in. Understanding that shares held indirectly fluctuate frequently, simply the latest information you already have on this will be fine. Also, how frequently do you receive information on this from your managers?

(iv) What, if any, standards of ethical, social or environmental responsibility does the college exercise in its investments? Does the College receive reports (perhaps as part of more comprehensive reports) from its managers on how they are taking such issues into account (perhaps by engagement)? If possible, I would like to see a copy of the latest such report.

(v) Does the college hold any shares in companies involved in the manafacture of armaments (including, for example, BAe Systems, Smith Group, Cobham, VT Group, Rolls Royce, GKN, Alvis)? In any tobacco companies?

(vi) I understand that the College is registered as a charity. What are its charitable objects?

I trust that the full implications of the Freedom of Information Act will be taken into account in assessing this request. Many thanks for your time; and please do not hesitate to let me know if I can help you by clarifying my request so as to make it easier for you to help me along the way. Also, I would appreciate that if you consider that any information in question is exempt from your obligations, you would let me know the legal exemption invoked, why you take it to apply and provide whatever portions of documents are not exempt. I would prefer to receive any information that can be sent by e-mail in that format, although if you only have hard copies or if there is some other particular reason, I am happy to receive hard copies. Also, if any documents are to have information cut from them before handing over, please provide photocopies.

Regards and thanks,

Your e-mail:

Your address:

Posted on 22/05/05 by tom