Yeshiva University

College Sustainability Report Card 2008

The Energy Task Force, with representation from multiple departments, the board of trustees, and students focuses on sustainability initiatives. In the fall of 2007, at the recommendation of the task force, the university hired an energy manager, who oversees projects recommended by an energy study that was performed in 2006 and addresses related sustainability issues.

In 2006, the university performed a preliminary energy audit of their Manhattan campuses. Yeshiva University has committed to a five-year capital plan to replace/modify existing systems with energy-efficient systems. Among other work, its largest chiller, as well as two of its larger cooling towers and three sets of dual-fuel burners have been replaced with more efficient models. Energy-efficient lighting with motion sensors has been installed. The university is investigating purchasing green power and biofuels.

The university recycles plastic, cans, cardboard, and newspapers through the New York City Department of Sanitation. The medical school campus maintains a composting site, which is used for mulch around the campus. The university’s dining services department does not offer any notable amount of local or organic foods; however, they do purchase fair-trade coffee.

The university has committed to increasing the efficiency of its buildings and has performed numerous renovations including improved roof insulation, direct digital controls on A/C systems, and replacement of old air handler fan motors with high-efficiency units. Yeshiva has also installed energy-efficient lighting with motion sensors in some buildings. The new research facility, the first building constructed by the university in more than a decade, features energy conservation as a prime design component.

The president’s office has mandated that the university’s fleet be only hybrid vehicles. The university is renegotiating its inter- and intra-campus shuttle contract to include vehicles that run on alternative fuels. The shuttle offers staff an alternative to using their cars to get around the campus. The university offers its employees the TRiPP program, which provides a pre-tax benefit for the use of mass transit.

The university makes neither its proxy voting record nor its list of endowment holdings public. This information is only available to trustees and senior administrators.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is also exploring renewable energy investment funds or similar investment vehicles, as well as community development financial institutions or loan funds.

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