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Report Card 2007

Northeastern University
College Sustainability Report Card 2007

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Northeastern University

School details:

Endowment: $596 million as of June 30, 2006

Location: Boston, Massachusetts

 

Campus Survey: Yes

Endowment Survey: Yes

 

Data compiled from independent research. For information on data collection and evaluation, please see the Methods section.

 
Overall grade 
C-
A sustainability committee was established in 2006. Membership consists of representatives from facilities, purchasing, and environmental health and safety. The first objective of the committee was to establish a benchmark report that summarizes environmental initiatives that have been successfully implemented, and to identify initiatives that may be implemented in the future. Other sources of activity on campus are the RE-NU recycling program and the University’s Students for Environmental Action (SEA). SEA is currently working to compose an Environmental Report Card for the University.
The University recently completed an energy retrofit in 51 of its campus buildings, which realized a 25 percent reduction in energy use among those buildings. Web-based electricity metering and steam plant condensate metering are used to identify buildings that are large power consumers, to gauge the effectiveness of conservation measures on a building-by-building basis, and to identify leaks in the system. Econo Cool technology, estimated to be 50 percent more energy efficient than traditional technologies, is utilized in all new refrigerated vending machines. Ninety solar panels were installed on the Curry Student Center with an output of 22 kilowatts, supplying electricity to the student center and preventing 13.5 tons of carbon dioxide from being produced by electric generation using fossil fuels. The University purchases Energy Star-certified appliances and computers, and uses compact florescent lamps. In one year, the University purchased 20 electric golf carts as an alternative transportation solution for use by facilities, athletics, and others, reducing vehicular traffic on campus.
The University recycling effort began in 1989 and now includes 13 different categories of items. The University composts yard waste, composting nearly 300 tons of grass clippings, leaves, and other waste in a recent 12-month period. Unfortunately, there is no local or organic food program for the dining halls, which contract with Chartwells Dining Services.
There is an ongoing evaluation process for all future projects to determine if they are LEED-certifiable, and to identify sustainable design elements.
The University has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.
The University prioritizes investing to maximize profit and is also invested in renewable energy investment funds or similar investment vehicles. Additionally, the University is exploring community development financial institutions or loan funds.
The University asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.
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