University of Vermont

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Fogel signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. In 2008, a sustainability office and the President’s Commission on Sustainability were created to support the university's emphasis on environmental issues. The Environmental Forum is a grassroots and middle management network that supports greening efforts and student involvement.

A clean energy fund, financed by student fees, will use $200,000 annually to fund renewable energy projects recommended by a committee composed mostly of students. The university has implemented several measures to improve energy efficiency, and staff have been tracking carbon emissions since 2002.

The university, a member of the Farm-to-College program and the Vermont Fresh network, purchases 30 percent of its food from Vermont-based companies. Dining services offers compostable to-go packaging and turns kitchen grease into biodiesel fuel. The university diverts approximately 35 percent of its solid waste through a comprehensive recycling and composting program.

All new buildings and major renovations are required, by policy, to be LEED Silver-certified, at a minimum. The new student center was the first in the nation to achieve LEED Gold certification. Since 2005, all new UVM buildings have been formally certified at the Silver level or higher.

The Eco-Reps program employs more than 30 students to promote environmental stewardship on campus. The sustainability office offers internships, and dining services employs a sustainability intern. Several student organizations focus on sustainability.

The university's shuttles run on biodiesel or natural gas, and several fleet vehicles are electric or hybrid. UVM runs a comprehensive commuter incentive program, offers fare-free local transit, and the campus master plan commits to a bike- and pedestrian-friendly campus.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings and its proxy voting record available to the public as per open records laws. Voting records are accessible in the investment office, while a list of endowment holdings is sent to individuals upon request.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy and climate change funds, as well as community development loan funds.

A committee of two trustees, two faculty members, two staff members, four students, one administrator, and one ex-officio administrator deliberates and makes recommendations on proxy votes. The board of trustees passed a resolution that the university will vote in favor of shareholder proposals that address climate change.