New York University

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

President Sexton has signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. In 2006, NYU formed the Sustainability Task Force, a university-sanctioned body of 45 students, faculty, and administrators from across the university’s multiple schools and divisions. NYU currently employs three staff whose primary responsibilities are to implement sustainability projects, and is hiring three more full-time personnel. The departments of energy, recycling, environmental health and safety, purchasing, and planning and construction, as well as other staff are regularly involved with sustainability projects.

As part of New York City’s PlaNYC 2030 Initiative, NYU has pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent over the next ten years. The university expects to meet this commitment ahead of schedule, once its highly efficient cogeneration facility goes online. In October 2006, NYU purchased 118 million kilowatt-hours of wind energy—the largest such purchase by any U.S. university—equal to all the power the university buys from the grid.

NYU contracts with 20 producers within 150 miles of the city. Eco-friendly to-go containers are expected to be available in fall 2007. The university has instituted a pilot project in one dining hall, serving organic and natural products. If successful, ten more operations dedicated to serving sustainable foods will be opened. NYU has one of New York City’s longest-running recycling programs, achieving a higher diversion rate than the city as a whole.

NYU is in the process of developing comprehensive green building guidelines that will draw upon LEED standards. The guidelines will cover everything from materials to energy and water use to interiors and furnishings. The Gallatin School is currently pursuing LEED Silver certification in its renovations, and other NYU building projects are planning a wide range of green design features.

NYU has begun to identify additional bike storage locations and plans to replace old vehicles with newer, more efficient ones. The university has a program to collect and repair abandoned bicycles and conduct a study of bicycle use on campus. More than 92 percent of students either live within walking distance of class, or commute using bicycles, the subway, the city or university bus systems, and other alternative transit options.

NYU has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

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