Fourth "official" TIAA-CREF (TC) Coalition Update --mainly for TC participants with an interest in social responsibility by TC

Hello folks interested in more socially responsible actions from TIAA-CREF: We focus here on the upcoming annual meeting of TIAA-CREF, our big action of the year. Below is the general announcement that will be getting wide exposure to activists and educators via our coalition groups and otherwise. Your involvement will help, as well. If you can get to the meeting, great. Some folks are traveling long distances. We can use your involvement either inside or outside of the meeting—so let me know if you want to be there. If you can’t make it, PLEASE do make a call as explained below. And you can help further if you can spread the below message to as many folks as you can—encouraging their involvement in one way or another. Finally, if you have any media contacts who might do a story, please let us know. THANKS

ISTS PROTEST AT ANNUAL SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO PRESS PENSION FUND TO INVEST RESPONSIBLY AND IMPROVE CORPORATE GOVERNANCE "Out of the Bad and into the Good" Thursday, November 13, 8:30-11 a.m. Annual Shareholder meeting of TIAA-CREF. A call for the $300 billion pension giant to invest in positive ventures (like low-income housing); divest Unocal, Nike, Wal-Mart, BP, Costco, and Philip-Morris/Altria; and boycott World Bank bonds. Outside of 730 Third Ave. (between 45th and 46th streets). During the week of the meeting, also call CEO Herbert Allison at 800-842-2733, 212-490-9000 and note the above issues. For information, see www.maketiaa-crefethical.org ; 260-982-5346, or nwollman@bentley.edu Sponsored by Citizens' Coalition, Infact, International Tibet Independence Movement, Press for Change, Students for a Free Tibet, U.S. Campaign for Burma, U.S. Tibet Committee, World Bank Bonds Boycott, and Social Choice for Social Change.

As the nation's largest pension fund, TIAA-CREF, a retirement fund mainly for educators, prides itself on being responsive to shareholders and a socially responsible "concerned investor." However, the fund continues to hold large investments that support tobacco sales, sweatshop labor, harmful environmental practices, and oil companies tied to brutal dictatorships. Other funds earn good returns while investing in more socially beneficial ways. A broad-based coalition is calling for funds to be invested in affordable housing and in companies that are, for example, pioneering socially or environmentally responsible products or services. Also, TIAA-CREF is weak or contradictory in its own governance practices, despite being considered a leader in good corporate governance. Three relevant shareholder-proposed resolutions are on the annual meeting ballot.