Washington and Lee University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Ruscio has signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and the university's Environmental Planning and Management Committee has been working to promote sustainability initiatives on campus. The university employs an environmental management coordinator and has adopted an Energy Star purchasing policy.

The university has completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory. A $2.5 million energy performance contract helped implement a wide variety of energy and water conservation measures. The administration has pledged to purchase a very modest number of carbon credits in collaboration with the Student Environmental Action League.

The university purchases food from 24 local farms and vendors, as well as cage-free eggs and organic produce. Some herbs and organic garden vegetables are sourced from a campus garden. Uncooked food is composted on-site for use on campus. Dining services uses biodegradable to-go containers and offers discounts with a reusable mug.

The university has adopted a policy of seeking LEED certification on major construction and renovation projects. The renovation of a historic building will be the university's first project to receive LEED certification. Two building projects have included significant green design elements in the past.

The environmental management coordinator employs one to two work-study students. Students serve on the Environmental Planning and Management Committee and will serve on the newly formed Presidential Sustainability Advisory Committee. The university participates in RecycleMania and the Student Environmental Action League is a group that promotes sustainability on campus.

The university uses biodiesel to fuel all diesel-powered mobile equipment. The university will initiate the Blue Bike loan program in fall 2008.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings available only to trustees and senior administrators and its shareholder voting record is not publicly available.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds.

The university asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.