Connecticut College

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Higdon signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and the college has a renewable energy policy and a green building policy. A new energy conservation and efficiency policy will require the purchase of Energy Star products. There is a full-time environmental coordinator who is guided by the environmental model committee.

Connecticut College charges a student fee for the purchase of renewable energy and has purchased wind renewable energy certificates since 2006 to offset 100 percent of its electricity each year. A lightbulb exchange program began in 2004 and the Dial Down Campaign encourages the campus community to turn down thermostats during winter months. There is a small solar array on one building and the college is currently investigating building a wind turbine on campus.

The college works with two local suppliers, and an on-campus organic gardening group provides vegetables to the dining halls. Fair trade coffee and cage-free eggs are also available. All dining halls use reusable dishware. The college officially began a food composting program in November 2007 and recycling is available for glass, metal, paper, and cardboard.

The college adopted its own green building policy in 2005 and is currently pursuing certification for the new field house and the renovation of Bill Hall, room 106.

Connecticut College provides a summer sustainability internship and environmental representatives represent their dorms or houses on environmental issues. There are also four active student groups involved in sustainability issues, including the Renewable Energy Club, which educates about energy efficiency and conservation and is pushing the campus to switch to renewable energy.

CamelVan, the student run shuttle, services New London and the transportation center downtown. First-year students are asked to refrain from bringing cars to campus. Spokespeople, a student-run collective, repairs and leases bicycles. A car-sharing program is being introduced this year.

The college has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

The college 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 college has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.