Old Dominion University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

In 2007, Old Dominion University established an environmental advisory committee and charged this group of students, faculty, and staff to review the institution’s efforts and make recommendations to improve sustainability practices. The university is developing a position for a full-time sustainability coordinator to be filled in 2009.

ODU has entered into an energy performance contract to reduce the amount of power consumption in all older buildings. It also completed construction of a central chiller plant that is estimated to reduce energy needs by one-third kilowatt-hour per ton.

ODU offers fair trade coffee and some organic produce. Dining services offers reusable dishware and recycled and biodegradable take-out containers. Approximately 10 to 12 percent of the university's waste is diverted for recycling. Beginning in fall 2008, vegan dining options will be available daily.

ODU installed its first green roof as part of the renovation of the Batten Arts and Letters building completed in early 2008. The university is in the planning and design phase of another green roof to be installed during the renovation of Pretlow Planetarium. Older buildings are being retrofitted with low-flow toilets and high-efficiency lighting.

Recycling services hires part-time student employees. Student organizations, such as Students Undertaking Responsibility for the Global Environment and ODU’s chapter of Student National Environmental Health Association, help to promote sustainability through education and outreach.

ODU has taken a step toward powering its campus fleet of vehicles in a more sustainable, environmentally friendly manner by installing a new, partial-biodiesel fueling tank. The university currently has three electric vehicles and utilizes approximately 30 electric golf carts in various departments.

The university makes neither its shareholder voting record nor its list of endowment holdings public. Only the investment committee has access to these holdings.

The university aims to optimize investment return and currently has very limited investment in renewable energy funds.

The university asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.