Colby College

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

Colby College adheres to the core values of respect for the environment and sustainable living. Environmentally safe practices inform and guide campus strategic planning, decision making, and daily operations. The Environmental Advisory Group (EAG) was formed in 2000 to advise the president and college community on issues related to environmental stewardship. Colby employs an environmental programs manager and all project management staff are LEED-accredited.

Along with the state of Maine, Colby is a participant in the Governor’s Carbon Challenge, pledging to reduce campus emissions to 1990 levels by 2010 and to 80 percent below 2003 levels in the long term. The college is in its fourth year of purchasing 100 percent renewable energy for the main campus. Colby purchases a combination of hydroelectric, biomass, and wind power. Conservation initiatives include energy-efficient washing machines, fluorescent lighting, a cogeneration turbine, and HVAC upgrades.

ally and buys from 30 to 40 local producers. The college was recognized by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for using the Seafood Watch Guide. There is no to-go service in residential dining, and all plates used in retail operations are compostable. All pre- and postconsumer food waste is composted, amounting to 80 tons per year. Dining services won the state governor’s award for composting in 2004.

The EAG has developed green building principles and guidelines for all new construction. The Schair Swenson Watson Alumni Center construction was completed in 2006 and the building has achieved LEED Silver certification. The Diamond building, completed in 2006, was submitted for LEED certification.

The college’s fleet includes an electric car and two hybrid vehicles. Showers have been installed in numerous buildings to encourage bicycling and jogging to work. The campus master plan, completed in 2001, established Colby as a pedestrian campus.

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.

The college aims to optimize investment return and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

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