Union College

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Ainlay signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. A sustainability committee consisting of multiple stakeholder groups meets regularly throughout the academic year. The U Sustain website outlines progress on sustainability initiatives at the college.

The college purchases 15 percent of its electricity from a wind farm. All motors have been replaced with 22 percent more efficient motors. Photovoltaic roof panels were installed on the Eco-House, and meters compare its energy use with that of less efficient buildings.

An on-campus community garden sells 50 percent of its produce to dining services. Student volunteers work with dining services to produce local and organic options. Food waste is composted and used as fertilizer on campus grounds. Recycled furnishings from student dorms are donated to charitable organizations annually.

A green building policy requires that new buildings be constructed to LEED Silver standards and that green building materials be used in renovations. A college-owned student apartment house was converted to an eco-house to provide green living quarters; the facility features water reclamation, solar power, low-flow toilets, and computer-monitored metering to provide students with energy-use comparison data. Union is currently planning an addition to the science and engineering center that will seek LEED Gold certification.

Funding has been made available to students to do research in the areas of energy saving and sustainability. A student group promoted conservation on campus through a Do-it-in-the-Dark campaign.

A campus trolley runs at night and during inclement weather. Bike racks are located around campus to promote bike usage. In response to student requests, the residence life department is planning a campus bike program.

The college makes its proxy voting record and a list of endowment holdings available to all members of the school community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni. This information is available at the investment office.

The college aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles.

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