University of Georgia

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

The University of Georgia has an energy sustainability task force to apply energy efficiency practices. The administration initiated a water conservation campaign and implemented green cleaning practices and procurement of Green Seal-certified products. The university hired a full-time recycling coordinator.

The university conducts energy audits on submetered buildings and will upgrade steam line insulation after expanding the network to East Campus. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems have been upgraded and the energy management office conducts lightbulb exchanges. Energy usage per square foot decreased 20 percent from 1992 to 2008.

The university serves local foods in one campus dining venue and contributes to a local food distribution charity. Since 1983, the university has reclaimed 100 percent of leaf and limb debris as compost. A traditional recycling program has reached a 28 percent recycling rate, including recycling of motor oil, antifreeze, tires, and fuel filters from the automotive shop.

All new construction and renovation projects address sustainable site design, water and energy conservation, waste reduction and material selection, and indoor environmental quality. The university is working to incorporate these strategies into a written policy. Currently, six projects use energy-efficient and natural lighting and heat recovery systems, such as energy wheels, to reduce air conditioning use. Three additional green buildings are in the design stage.

The GoGreen Alliance represents many campus environmental organizations and works with the physical plant department and university architects office on sustainability projects. Students participated in RecycleMania for the first time last year.

The university bus fleet transports more than nine million riders each year and partners with the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department to provide free bus passes to students, faculty, and staff. All 47 buses in the fleet use biodiesel fuel. Parking services offers incentives to the university community to use alternative modes of transportation. Over one million square feet of asphalt have been converted to green space for a more pedestrian-friendly campus.

The university and the University of Georgia Foundation have no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

The university and the foundation aim to optimize investment return and have not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The university and the foundation have not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.