University of Mississippi

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Khayat signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The university formed a sustainability office and hired two full-time staff to address campus sustainability and energy conservation. The Chancellor's Council on Energy, Environment, and Sustainability establishes campus-wide sustainability initiatives and priorities in conjunction with eight environmental action groups.

The university's greenhouse gas inventory is scheduled for completion in fall 2009. The university has improved energy efficiency by implementing an Energy Star procurement policy and installing high-efficiency lighting and motion sensors in campus buildings. A new a multi-year project of placing digital meters on major buildings across campus, will allow for real-time, centralized energy management.

The University of Mississippi provides cardboard and mixed-paper recycling bins in academic buildings. In addition, campus recycling services collect batteries, cell phones, motor oil, and ink cartridges. Dining areas are now trayless to reduce waste. Lawnmowers are currently fueled by 20 percent biodiesel made from recycled kitchen oil.

All new construction and major renovations at the university will be LEED-certified or equivalent. The new law school building will be the university's first LEED-certified facility, and sustainable features will be incorporated into the Center for Manufacturing Excellence.

The student group Roots and Shoots has worked to launch recycling programs at Ole Miss and to promote environmental awareness within the student body. The university is training students in its Building Mayors program to serve as Green Champions, promoting energy conservation, recycling, and other sustainability efforts. In fall 2008, new student orientation will include sustainability education.

The university has recently purchased a railroad bed that cuts through campus and converted it into a bike and pedestrian pathway. Ole Miss provides free local bus transit passes for students. The campus master plan aims to create a pedestrian core and relocate parking to the periphery. The university has purchased a fleet of solar electric, hybrid vehicles to support a shuttle system within the core of campus, including all major residential dormitories.

The university and the University of Mississippi Foundation have no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or shareholder voting records.

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.