Carnegie Mellon University

Carnegie Mellon's master plan includes a chapter and appendix focused on sustainability, and the university employs an environmental coordinator. The Green Practices Committee is responsible for setting environmental priorities and goals. The purchasing department has environmental provisions for purchasing and packaging.

Twenty-one percent of the school's energy is sourced from renewable sources. Through the Sleep is Good initiative, the university aims to conserve energy by improving its computer monitor management. A class completed a carbon emissions inventory, but the university has no formal commitment to reducing emissions.

The university's distributor buys from more than 30 local suppliers, and dining services contracts with a local dairy. The university sponsors and hosts a community-supported agriculture program. A composting program will be piloted this year in the dining halls.

All building projects valued at over $2 million must meet LEED Silver standards. The university currently has six LEED-certified buildings; one new project is under evaluation and four projects are in design or under construction. Four green-roof systems have also been installed on campus buildings.

At orientation, students are encouraged to get involved in environmental efforts on campus and receive a reusable bag with information about sustainable dining. Facilities management employs green practices interns and the Steinbrenner Institute for Environmental Education and Research provides grants to students for environmental projects.

The campus owns ten electric vehicles and shuttle buses run on biodiesel. Free public bus passes are available to students, faculty, and staff, and special parking privileges are offered to carpools. The university participates in a car-sharing program, as well as Pittsburgh’s Bike to Work program.

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. This information is maintained at the investment office.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds. The board of trustees is considering a program to provide external fund managers with guidance in regard to environmental factors in investment.

Administrators vote proxies for any securities directly held by the university. External investment managers vote proxies on all separately managed accounts. The Investment Committee of the university's board of trustees is considering a formal program for the creation of proxy voting guidelines that are sensitive to sustainability-related issues.