Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Steger has charged the Committee for Energy and Sustainability with developing a sustainability plan and climate action commitment by the end of the 2009 spring semester. Virginia Tech employs a sustainability coordinator and several other full- and part-time sustainability personnel, and has recently revised their Campus Energy and Water Policy.

In compliance with the governor's executive orders, the university met a goal of 10 percent energy savings in 2006 and is planning to reduce purchases of nonrenewable energy an additional 15 percent by 2010 subject to unanticipated increases in energy costs. The installation of occupancy sensors, commissioning of HVAC systems, and lighting retrofits on campus have increased energy efficiency.

The recycling program diverted 34 percent of the waste stream in 2007, including yard waste, scrap metal, and tires. Dining services purchases 8 to 15 percent of food locally and is looking into food composting and compostable to-go containers. Dining Services has one unit that is dedicated to serving organic food.

According to 2008 policy, all new capital construction projects will be designed to LEED Silver standards, with formal certification pursued on a case-by-case basis. Currently four projects are registered for LEED certification and an additional eight projects are in the early stages of planning and design.

There are 14 student organizations in the Coalition for Campus Sustainability, which was launched in the spring of 2008 and is facilitated by the student-run Environmental Coalition. The GREEN Team has been integral in spreading sustainability awareness on campus and employs a student coordinator. Students are also employed in sustainability jobs by several offices. Students have organized engaging events including “Focus the Nation” and “Earth Week 2008.”

Virginia Tech offers many incentives for public and shared transportation, including fare-free access to the local transportation system and carpool incentives. The university has received federal enhancement grants to encourage bicycling on campus. The physical plant department has 15 vehicles running on biodiesel and one hybrid vehicle, while Fleet Services offers four hybrid vehicles in its rental inventory.

The university makes its list of endowment holdings available only to trustees and senior administrators. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in alternative energy firms and community development financial institutions.

The university provides its investment managers with guidelines that determine its proxy votes.