University of Pittsburgh

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

The University of Pittsburgh was one of twenty universities internationally to draft and sign the Talloires Declaration in 1991. In 2003, the Mascaro Sustainability Initiative was created as a center for sustainable engineering, focusing on the design of sustainable communities and green building techniques. The university senate’s Plant Utilization and Planning Committee instituted a Sustainability Subcommittee, which works actively with facilities management and other departments to promote sustainability initiatives on campus.

Over the past ten years, energy conservation initiatives have resulted in over $21 million in energy cost avoidance. The university was recognized with an EPA Energy Star Award in 2004 for its “Computer to Sleep” program. Extensive energy conservation initiatives and retrofits are commonplace throughout campus, and the university is currently commissioning a new steam plant that is expected to reduce annual carbon emissions by 46 percent.

All seasonal produce is locally grown, and some organic and fair-trade options are available. Over 2,500 meals per day are now served on reusable dishware. The university has a comprehensive recycling program that accepts yard waste, batteries, fluorescent lamps, computer monitors, and carpet. This has resulted in approximately 28 percent of the waste from educational and general buildings being diverted from the landfill.

The university’s McGowan Institute for Regenerative Medicine was certified as LEED Gold in November 2005, making it the first university in Pennsylvania to receive this rating. The university has incorporated many green building features into its design standards, which professionals are required to comply with for both new construction and renovation projects. LEED-accredited professionals work as part of project teams.

The university has negotiated a contract with the Port Authority of Allegheny County to allow all students, faculty, and staff to access public transportation by showing their university ID card. Reduced-fee parking permits are offered for carpools, with savings increasing for each additional carpool member, and preferred carpool/vanpool parking spaces are available in selected lots and garages. Bicycle racks and lockers are available in over 50 locations across campus.

The university 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.