University of Tennessee

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

The University of Tennessee Knoxville's Committee on the Campus Environment has been working on campus sustainability issues for a number of years and published a comprehensive Environmental Progress Report in 2005. The University has adopted an environmental policy, but has made no specific commitments. A 40,000 square foot public policy center, scheduled to open in 2007, is registered for LEED certification.

The University has made efforts to increase energy conservation and reduce campus emissions. The Martin campus has committed to fuel a new power plant exclusively with biodiesel produced from soybeans. As a result of students voting for a fee increase, which allowed the University to become an Environmental Protection Agency Green Power Partner, 2.6 percent of the Knoxville campus’s power now comes from renewable sources. Energy efficiency measures, mostly in the form of lighting and low-flow faucet head retrofits, have reduced energy use on campus.

Most University of Tennessee campuses mix composted landscaping waste with horse manure for use as campus mulch. Grounds crews are exploring the possibility of collaborating with dining services to compost food waste, as well. Recycling programs exist at every campus, but the University has clearly recognized that recycling is only part of the sustainability effort. The introduction of local and organic foods into the dining halls has not yet been addressed by the University system. Also, waste vegetable oil is collected on campus and turned into biodiesel fuel by students for use in university diesel vehicles.

As part of a 2005 Environmental Progress Report, the Committee on the Campus Environment recommended that all new buildings be constructed with LEED certification as a goal. The University has not responded with a formal green building policy, but the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy is expected to achieve LEED certification when it opens later in 2007.

The state of Tennessee open records laws require disclosure of investment holdings and proxy voting records to the public if requested. This information is available at the investment office or the vice president's office.

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 provides its investment managers with guidelines to determine proxy votes.