Berea College

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

In 1996, Berea College made an institutional commitment to embody sustainability in various aspects of its overall operation. A full-time sustainability coordinator provides institutional support to further the College's sustainability initiatives through campus programs, community outreach, and teaching resources. Five additional positions and a number of student work-study positions are also responsible for promoting and implementing sustainability in the curriculum and in campus operations. A stated goal of achieving a 45 percent reduction in campus energy use by 2015 demonstrates the College's effort, as does the EcoVillage, which provides student housing and a child development laboratory, among other facilities.

The student-led 10X10 Campaign is pushing the College to conserve energy and supply 10 percent of campus energy needs with renewable energy sources by 2010. The College intends to reduce campus energy use 45 percent by 2015. Campus solar panels currently provide 0.5 percent of campus energy needs.

The Local Food Initiative (LFI) Steering Committee, made up of faculty, staff, and student volunteers, is working to develop a sustainable food system at the College. The LFI has successfully encouraged the school to incorporate more local foods, including College-grown produce and livestock, into the College Dining Services. A recycling and composting program already includes pre-consumer food waste, and work is being done to incorporate post-consumer waste, as well.

In 2001, Berea College's administration building earned a LEED Silver rating, making it the first LEED-certified building in the state of Kentucky. The College's EcoVillage, a living and learning tool in sustainability, contains 50 student apartments, a child development laboratory, and a model sustainable home. The EcoVillage uses 75 percent less energy and water per capita than the standard household and produces a waste stream half as large. It uses the Ecological Machine, which relies on natural processes to clean sewage water to swimmable standards through a system of tanks filled with plants, fish, and other aquaculture. Much of this water is recycled to flush toilets. The College has a set of Ecological Renovation Standards for all campus renovations in order to maximize resource efficiency and incorporate green design components.

The College has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

The College prioritizes investing to maximize profit and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The College has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.