Wesleyan University

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

Wesleyan University is participating with the city of Middletown in an initiative that aims to have 20 percent of the state’s energy needs come from renewable sources by 2010. The Wesleyan University Sustainable Advisory Group recommends sustainable practices to senior staff for consideration. The student Environmental Organizing Network works with the advisory group on environmental issues.

The university has committed to the Campus Climate Pledge with a goal to reduce measurable greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to 75 to 80 percent below current levels in the long term. An energy policy has been in place since 2004, and energy conservation efforts have already lowered emissions to below 1990 levels. The university’s athletic center runs on 100 percent renewable energy. A new 2,490-kilowatt cogeneration system should be installed within the next two years.

Thirty-three percent of food products are purchased from within 150 miles of the university. All eggs are cage-free and all coffee is fair-trade. The university’s dining services composts 49,000 pounds of food scraps each year, and is currently expanding the program to include postconsumer waste. Last year, Wesleyan placed in the top ten colleges in several categories of RecycleMania.

The university incorporates green building standards in all renovation and construction projects and the Fauver Field residence hall recently achieved LEED certification. Wesleyan purchases recycled and recyclable building materials, uses products with low volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and recycles most demolition debris.

The university has purchased two electric cars and has ordered two electric DYMAC trucks for use as waste management vehicles on campus. The public safety department is considering the use of a hybrid vehicle for patrols on campus. A student group has designed and expects to implement a bicycle repair program to distribute abandoned bikes to students, faculty, and staff.

Endowment holdings are available to students, faculty, staff, and alumni via a secure website maintained by the treasurer’s office. The university provides links to the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website where proxy statements are posted.

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.

Wesleyan invites members of the university community to share their opinions about shareholder questions and will disclose any positions they take on them.