University of Kansas–Lawrence

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

The University of Kansas has adopted an energy policy that also commits to green purchasing. KU's Center for Sustainability employs one full-time and one part-time sustainability administrator. The center works with the broad-based Sustainability Ambassador Network to implement sustainability initiatives.

KU is currently conducting a carbon emissions inventory and has undertaken energy audits and efficiency upgrades that provide the university with $1.5 million in energy savings annually. One residence hall has geothermal heating and cooling, and a second hall will be added to the system in 2009.

KU serves locally made vegan burgers and fair trade coffee, and has made progress toward working with local producers. Dining services has added a section in one of its facilities that offers organic and natural products, and is working to educate customers about issues of sustainability. Landscaping waste is composted, waste oil is processed into biodiesel, and KU's recycling system has added a furniture swap to its traditional range of recyclables.

KU requires that newly constructed buildings surpass ASHRAE 90.1 energy efficiency standards by at least 30 percent, and 2 percent of project costs are earmarked for energy-efficient design. A new football stadium has been built into a hillside, utilizing in-ground insulation and a green roof.

The Center for Sustainability offers volunteer student internships. Nearly a dozen student organizations on campus work on sustainability initiatives and the Sustainability Ambassador Network raises awareness on campus conservation efforts.

Students, staff, and faculty receive fare-free bus service and campus shuttles allow travel across campus. Recreation services offers free use of a bike maintenance shop. The university's motor fleet includes Segways, hybrids, and two electric cars.

The Kansas University Endowment Association makes neither a list of endowment holdings nor its shareholder voting record public. This information is available only to trustees and senior administrators.

The Kansas University Endowment Association aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds. A number of investment managers have policies relating to sustainability.

The Kansas University Endowment Association asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.