University of Denver

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

Chancellor Coombe signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. Faculty, staff, students, and ex-officio members sit on the University Sustainability Council. Five committees on the council address five different areas of sustainability. An energy engineer was recently hired. The sustainability website shares information and encourages involvement.

For over a decade, the university has implemented energy conservation measures that have saved an average of 13.3 million kilowatt-hours of electricity per year. Savings generated by these measures are earmarked for reinvesting in additional energy savings projects. For the past two years, the university purchased wind Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) for 30 percent of its annual electrical consumption and has committed to purchasing RECs for the next two years, equating to 14,500 megawatt-hours of renewable electricity per year.

Between 11 and 15 percent of all food purchases, including meats and produce, come from 30 local producers and the university purchases milk from a local dairy. All coffee on campus is certified fair trade or organic. The campus recycling program was recently overhauled to provide single-stream recycling in every major building on campus.

In 2007, the board of trustees approved a sustainability statement as part of the university’s land use plan, which requires the institution to build according to LEED Silver requirements. In 2005, the Ricketson Law Building became the first project in Colorado to achieve Gold certification. Nagel Hall is registered for Gold certification.

The student senate includes a sustainability chair. Students on the DU Environmental Team work to further sustainability initiatives. Energy savings contests will be held between the halls during the winter quarter. The Environmental Living and Learning Community is a residence open to first-year students and sophomores that features a course component, field trips, and programming.

Students, faculty, and staff receive free public transportation passes. There is a free shuttle that stops at the DU station on the light rail. The university has a partnership with a local nonprofit organization that provides information about alternatives to driving alone.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community. This information is available at the investment office and is occasionally sent to individuals upon request.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds and community development loan funds.

When applicable, the university seeks the advice of their endowment manager consultant regarding proxy votes.