Clemson University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Barker signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The university has adopted several environmental policies relating to building, purchasing, waste minimization, and energy conservation. The Clemson University Environmental Committee coordinates campus sustainability efforts.

Clemson has adopted a policy for campus-wide energy conservation strategies and has committed to purchasing green power credits from its energy provider. The university also encourages the purchase of Energy Star products. A campus-wide education effort about energy conservation is underway.

The university produces its own blue cheese, ice cream, and agricultural products, such as meat and organic produce, which are used in the dining halls. Dining services purchases food from 28 local farms and producers. There is a reusable mug program and the university runs its own recycling center. The university began a pilot compost program in August 2008.

Clemson requires that all new facilities and large renovations meet LEED Silver criteria. The university currently has 11 major projects being built to LEED standards. Two facilities on campus are already LEED Silver-certified, including the Advanced Materials Research Laboratory, which was the first public facility in South Carolina to be LEED Silver-certified.

Clemson employs students at its recycling center and organic farm. Sustainability-related student groups include Students for Environmental Awareness, which organizes recycling for tailgaters at football games. The Habitat for Humanity chapter at Clemson is building a house following LEED standards.

The university is part of a bus system in the city of Clemson that makes free bus service available around campus and the surrounding areas. It is one of the largest free bus systems in the country. Clemson is also planning to implement carpooling and vanpooling programs in fall 2008. The university’s parking services department uses four electric vehicles.

Information about endowment investment holdings is available primarily to the school community, but also to the public, through the Clemson University Foundation's website. Information about proxy voting records through related mutual funds is also available on the foundation website.

The Clemson University Foundation aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles. The foundation recently created investment guidelines that include the consideration of investments that promote a sustainable environment.

The Clemson University Foundation is invested in mutual funds and is, therefore, unable to vote proxies.