DePauw University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

DePauw has an established budget to support sustainability initiatives and an investment fund is in place for reinvestment of energy conservation savings for additional conservation projects. A sustainability committee was established in 2006 and the university has a part-time sustainability coordinator.

DePauw completed a campus lighting audit, as well as an HVAC audit; these efforts resulted in the replacement of many incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescent, as well as revised temperature set points and investments in insulating steam pipes and chilled water return piping. Several of the campus's largest boilers have been replaced with more energy-efficient units.

DePauw's local purchases include organic produce, artisan bread, and dairy products. Compostable coffee cups are used and additional reusable dishware has been introduced at the university's largest retail location. As of fall 2008, dining services will compost food trimmings. Postconsumer waste is collected in retail locations for compost, as well.

Since March 2006, all new building projects have followed LEED design and construction principles. DePauw's Janet Prindle Institute for Ethics is the first building in Indiana to be LEED Gold-certified. The building’s roof is designed to use the sun as a source of heat in winter. The Jim and Sue Bartlett Reflection Center, intended for completion in September 2008, uses local materials and features passive solar heating and cooling.

Residence halls are metered for energy and water use, and recycling. A monthly report on the activity of each residence hall will be shared and, beginning in fall 2008, monthly recognitions and prizes will promote competition. Student internships are available with the sustainability coordinator, as well as with dining services and facilities management in addressing sustainability issues.

Buildings and grounds has converted most of its fleet to alternative-fuel vehicles. Several campus vehicles are powered by locally manufactured biodiesel produced from dining services waste oil. The university purchased 100 public bicycles for shared use by members of the school community. Three blocks of the central campus main street were closed to traffic and converted to a pedestrian walkway.

The university has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record. Therefore, there is no known ability to access this information.

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.

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