University of Arkansas

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

The University currently has no formal policy to deal with campus sustainability. However, the student government has passed a resolution recommending that the administration create a Campus Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability, as well as a university sustainability policy. Faculty are developing a research initiative centered around sustainability. Facilities management has a draft document that outlines a commitment to operating the campus in a sustainable fashion.

A Rebuild Arkansas Special Project grant is allowing the University to conduct a campus-wide energy audit. To date, two Energy Service Performance Contracts have been initiated and 3,955 incandescent lightbulbs have been replaced with compact fluorescents.

Small quantities of organic food are currently being purchased, and the possibility of purchasing organics from a national supplier is being explored. A seafood purchasing policy is in effect and dining services is investigating the formation of an alliance with Slow Food USA to promote sustainable agriculture. Chartwells, the University's Food Service vendor, has a delivery truck that runs on recycled frying oils, and has been recognized for its environmental stewardship. The University recycles and there is an on-campus center for sustainable agriculture.

The University's Innovation Center is LEED-certified. It is the University's first attempt at building under the U.S. Green Building Council's guidelines. Green technology design is incorporated into all building design regardless of whether certification is pursued. An experimental pair of buildings have been constructed to study the effects of a green roof and to develop campus guidelines for future buildings.

The University makes neither its proxy voting record nor its list of endowment holdings public.

The University 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 University asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.