Fordham University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

A sustainability committee, established by Fordham University's president, meets monthly and includes representation from all areas of the university. A senior administrator, who reports directly to the president, was appointed to chair the committee. All appliances must be Energy Star-certified and the custodial department plans to convert to Green Seal-certified cleaning products by the end of 2008.

As a participant in the PlaNYC mayoral challenge, Fordham has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2017. The university has completed a carbon emissions inventory and has developed steps to achieve the goal. Boiler plants have been renovated and will burn natural gas, which should reduce emissions by 12 percent annually. Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting and centralized building management systems have been installed.

Fordham purchases from ten local farms and all baked goods come from seven local bakeries. Ten percent of the food budget is spent on locally grown food, and fair trade coffee and hormone-free milk is served. Reusable china is used in the main dining hall and biodegradable take-out containers will be available in all locations in spring 2009. In addition to traditional materials, the university recycles fluorescent lightbulbs, batteries, paints, and lab chemicals. Landscaping operations composts 600 cubic yards of leaf material annually.

Fordham's sustainability policy has committed the university to achieving LEED Silver certification on all new construction and major building renovations. Two dormitories under construction are registered for LEED certification and are expected to achieve Silver ratings. Most of the university's buildings have been converted to low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient lighting.

New student orientation encourages recycling and energy reduction. The student government is actively engaged with Fordham's food service vendor to purchase more fair trade items. Student representatives are part of the sustainability committee.

The university's security and facilities departments have committed to converting 70 percent of their fleets to electric or hybrid vehicles. Van service is provided between the university's campuses, and nightly service to mass transit is available for students.

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

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.