Mills College

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Holmgren signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. Mills College opened a sustainability center in April 2008. The college's sustainability committee, which is comprised of students, faculty, staff, and alumni, is responsible for campus initiatives.

Besides having committed to climate neutrality, the college has not taken any steps to address energy efficiency or conservation possibilities. A solar array installed on the science building provides one-third of the building's electricity, and the college intends to increase its solar installations on future construction.

The college sources food from approximately 15 local farms, including a dairy. Dining services uses biodegradable utensils and dishware made from corn and potato starch. In 2007, the college achieved a waste diversion rate of more than 60 percent.

The college has made a commitment to LEED certification for all currently planned construction. The Betty Irene Moore Natural Sciences Building, completed in August 2007, achieved a LEED Platinum rating. The Graduate School for Business has been designed to LEED Gold standards and will be completed in fall 2009.

The sustainability coordinator supervises the college's Eco-Reps program for residential buildings. Students participate in a campus community garden. The Larsen House Sustainability Co-op is adjacent to the botanical garden and houses Mills students.

Mills runs a shuttle to the University of California at Berkeley and to city transit stations, with increased runs during peak hours to meet growing demand for shared transportation. The college provides a web-based carpool system and offers preferred parking for hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles.

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.