Ohio State University

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

The university’s sustainability plan, the Principles and Practices for a Sustainable Ohio State University, commits OSU to placing sustainability at the core of its mission. A new Office of Energy Services and Sustainability Initiatives has six full-time staff members and was established in February 2006 to provide leadership for campus sustainability initiatives.

In fall 2007, a project will be undertaken to establish a carbon footprint for the university. In the meantime, the installation of four new high-efficiency boilers and an undertaking of conservation efforts has resulted in an emission reduction of 79.1 percent in 2006 over a baseline year of 2003. The university is also considering cogeneration and alternative energy sources as a way to save money on energy costs and promote sustainability.

A new comprehensive recycling program will be implemented in all campus residence halls this fall, and a recycling program at home football games was launched in September 2007. Landscaping waste is used as mulch for groundskeeping. During 2006, an estimated 650 tons of compost was produced and used in campus operations. The university’s dining services department does not offer any notable amount of local or organic foods.

The university’s new 4-H center, student services building, and Ohio Union building will be designed to meet LEED standards. Additionally, the OSU Medical Center is embarking on a major renovation project that will include sustainable design features. There is a plan to incorporate LEED standards into all future buildings as well as the OSU Building Design Standards.

All diesel fuel dispensed on campus is B20 biodiesel. The university has a new car-sharing program, made possible through an agreement with FlexCar, in addition to a vanpool program. Students receive discounts on monthly bus passes.

The state of Ohio’s 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 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.

A member of the university administration determines proxy votes based on policy approved by the Investment Committee.