University of Chicago

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

The University of Chicago has begun to address issues associated with global warming by integrating the Sustainability Council, created by students in 2004, into the administration and recently joining Chicago's Clean Air Counts. The University also supplies 10 percent of the residential college's power needs with wind energy.

The University has joined Clean Air Counts, a Chicago-based coalition of schools and businesses committed to reducing emissions by five tons per day in the name of public health. Additionally, Residence Halls and Commons purchases 10 percent of its energy from wind power with the money saved from the installation of compact-flourescent lightbulbs.

Students have promoted an expansion of recycling efforts to include additional types of campus waste beyond the standard bottles and paper. There is also a composting program in two dining halls. However, dining services has yet to make a significant effort towards sustainability in its purchasing and operations practices.

The University has initiated efforts such as retrofitting lighting systems on campus, but has yet to make an effort towards adopting LEED building policies in its construction practices.

The University has made no public statements about making endowment holdings or shareholder voting records available. Therefore, there is no known ability to access this information.

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