Bates College

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

President Hansen signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The college’s environmental policy, which dates back to 1995, addresses issues such as the conservation of natural resources and green purchasing. There is an environmental coordinator in the Department of the Physical Plant, and the Committee on Environmental Responsibility, composed of faculty, staff, and students, works on campus-wide environmental issues.

In December 2005, Bates committed to using 100 percent renewable electricity to power its main buildings. In 2006, the college purchased 13 million kilowatt-hours of green energy, accounting for 96 percent of its energy use. The physical plant uses a 5 percent biodiesel blend in the heating oil tanks in many houses on campus. This year, the college is increasing biodiesel use to a 20 percent blend as a trial for campus-wide increase.

Dining services purchases from 20 local farms and 15 local vendors, including a local dairy, spending 25 percent of the food budget locally. A number of organic and sustainably produced food items are available, including free-range poultry and fair-trade coffee. Eighty-three percent of all waste produced by the operation is either composted, recycled, or sent to a pig farmer or the local food bank. Garbage disposals are not used in an effort to reduce energy and water consumption and to ensure that no food waste is sent into the waste stream.

The college has adopted the LEED Silver level as a minimum standard for all new construction and renovations, and the new campus center and student residence hall have been built as such. Lumber is sourced primarily from local suppliers and hardwood is utilized so that it can be more easily traced to sustainable forests. Double-glazed windows, low-flow showerheads, and low-flush toilets are standard in all projects.

Pedestrian-friendly planning and a Zipcar program, which offers hybrid vehicles for rent, reduce the number of cars on campus. For an annual fee, students, faculty, and staff can join the Bike Coop and receive a key to access any of the ten bicycles parked around campus. Three electric cars were recently purchased to explore potential alternatives to gas-powered vehicles for the campus fleet.

The college has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record. Therefore, there is no known ability to access this information.

In 1997, Bates adopted a policy on socially responsible investing, which ensures that the college invests in companies that engage in “ethical and reputable” business practices that sustain and respect the natural environment.

All active management of funds is delegated by the Trustee Investment Committee to professional money managers.