Yeshiva University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Joel signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The university has approved hiring a sustainability coordinator to develop and expand the sustainability program. Staff, faculty, students, and a trustee serve on the Energy Task Force, which focuses on sustainability and energy initiatives at the university.

The university has committed to a five-year capital plan to replace or modify existing systems with energy-efficient systems. Comprehensive lighting efficiency audits were recently completed at two campuses. An engineering study was recently completed to convert several heating plants to cleaner burning natural gas. The university is seriously considering entering into a large-scale energy performance contract with guidance from the Clinton Climate Initiative.

Food services purchases some local produce and is contracted with a local dairy. Fair trade coffee is available on campus and the university is exploring possible organic kosher food sources. The university recycles plastic, cans, cardboard, and newspapers through the New York City Department of Sanitation. The medical school campus maintains a composting site, the product of which is used for mulch around the campus.

The university has committed to registering all new buildings and major renovations for LEED certification. The university has also committed to increasing the efficiency of its buildings and has performed several renovations. The new education center and research facility, the only two buildings constructed by the university in more than a decade, feature energy conservation as a central design component.

Four student representatives sit on the Energy Task Force. An environmental student organization led the university to participate in its first ever RecycleMania, during which campus dormitories competed against each other and monthly awards were given.

The university is in the process of converting its entire fleet to hybrids. Forty percent of the fleet has been replaced, with expected completion by the end of 2009. The university provides a free shuttle service that links the campus with local light rail stations and bus terminals. The university offers its employees a pretax benefit for the use of mass transit.

The university makes neither a list of endowment holdings nor its shareholder voting record public. This information is available only to trustees and senior administrators.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles.

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