Wayne State University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

In 2006, the board of governors adopted a resolution on environmental concerns to protect the environment and enhance the campus. President Reid charged a task force on environmental initiatives with providing a comprehensive strategy for improving the university’s resource management. The task force initiatives are being implemented through the Standing Committee on Environmental Initiatives. The university recently hired a director of sustainability.

The university is taking steps to improve energy efficiency by conducting energy audits in all major buildings. The audits, along with user surveys, will assist in the development of optimized energy control systems for the subject buildings. The engineering development center, currently under construction, makes use of solar panels as an energy source.

The university does not offer any notable amount of local or organic foods, but dining services is working toward purchasing from local suppliers. Dining services is also partnering with SEED Wayne, a program for building sustainable food systems at the university and in Detroit, to begin a composting program and to use produce from a garden project. A recycling program for paper, aluminum, plastic, and batteries was started on campus.

University policy now supports LEED certification for all new campus projects. Additional energy conservation measures were incorporated into the construction of the new engineering development center, which is expected to achieve LEED Silver certification.

The Standing Committee on Environmental Initiatives has student representation. Student Environmental Action Leaders is WSU's largest and most active environmental student organization. Students have developed sustainable gardens on campus through SEED Wayne, which provides grants to student organizations that assist with the gardens.

The public safety department operates a hydrogen fuel cell car for a test project. The university offers free shuttle buses and recently expanded the system to link more sections of campus. WSU publicizes rideshare opportunities online, and is currently partnering to construct a loop that will link to a larger greenway and expand pedestrian walkways.

The university has no known policy of disclosure of its shareholder voting record. However, information on the endowment's long-term investment program is available online to the campus community and the public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The university has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.