University of Alaska–Anchorage

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

Chancellor Ulmer signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and the university is a signatory to the Talloires Declaration. The strategic plan, facilities master plan, and academic plan all address sustainability as a cornerstone to the university's operational and academic goals. The Sustainability Council includes faculty, staff, and students and is helping to develop a permanent Office of Sustainability.

UAA has completed a carbon emissions inventory and is preparing a carbon emissions reduction plan. As part of the recently published UAA Energy Policy, the university has completed some energy efficiency upgrades, including the installation of building automation systems and LED lighting systems. All electronic purchases must be Energy Star-rated.

Dining services works with several local growers to purchase food, and serves fair trade coffee and organic chicken. On-campus restaurants offer discounts for reusable beverage containers. A student-run recycling program accepts paper and electronic waste. Landscaping waste is composted.

The facilities master plan and other policy documents call for the use of sustainable construction techniques, and the last three construction projects have incorporated many LEED guidelines. The university currently has one LEED-registered project.

Student government and the Sustainability Club promote and organize on-campus sustainability initiatives, such as recycling and film screenings. Freshman orientation includes booths on sustainability and recycling.

The university offers a free shuttle service on campus and students are provided with a U-Pass, allowing them unlimited access to municipal public transportation. The UAA Student Bike Club operates a bicycle co-op, organizes workshops, and provides bicycles to students in need. UAA has built elevated covered walkways to encourage walking during winter months.

As per open records laws, the University of Alaska Foundation makes its endowment holdings and proxy voting records available to the public at its office.

The foundation aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

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