Santa Clara University

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

President Locatelli has signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The university has a sustainability policy, a task force, and a sustainability coordinator. There is a monthly e-newsletter that highlights the campus’s achievements in sustainability. Campus Sustainability Day is celebrated yearly, showcasing campus projects and research. Additionally, a workshop titled “Green Practices in the Workplace” educates staff about sustainability. There are several active student groups and programs, including the Sustainable Living Undergraduate Research Project.

The university has pledged to reduce its carbon dioxide emissions to 20 percent below 1990 levels by the end of 2010. In July 2007, the university amplified its commitment to renewable energy by increasing its annual wind power purchase to 8,040 megawatt-hours. The university recently dedicated a 50-kilowatt solar array.

Eighty percent of the produce served in the dining halls comes from local farms. Fair-trade coffee, cage-free eggs, and hormone-free milk are served. Students can use their meal points to buy locally grown produce at the campus farmers market. The university is in the process of developing an in-house food waste composting program. There is a comprehensive, university-wide recycling program, including green waste and the majority of construction materials.

All new projects and major renovations follow LEED standards, including the new business school and library. The newly opened Commons at Kennedy Mall is a sustainable design demonstration building. Older buildings are being retrofitted to improve energy efficiency.

The university has replaced SUVs once used by campus gardeners with electric golf carts. Campus safety uses gas and electric vehicles. Altogether, more than 30 electric vehicles are used by various departments on campus. Carpools receive free parking. Public transportation passes are available at a 25 percent discount. The campus is designed to be pedestrian- and bike-friendly.

The university makes its proxy voting records and a list of endowment holdings available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently exploring renewable energy investment funds or similar investment vehicles. Environmental factors are included in the socially responsible investment guidelines.

The university asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.