Bentley University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Bentley recently hired a manager of sustainability, who, along with the sustainability task force, is charged with helping the university set and achieve goals for reducing its environmental impact and developing campus-wide sustainability policies that fulfill the environmental commitment set forth in the school's mission statement. Bentley purchases Energy Star appliances whenever available, and all cleaning products are Green Seal Certified.

The university has completed a carbon emissions inventory and its first climate action plan will be finished in fall 2009. Energy efficiency upgrades have included energy management system upgrades, utilities sub-metering, and a complete lighting retrofit of older academic buildings and numerous residence halls.

All dining halls at Bentley went trayless in 2008. The university purchases locally raised eggs, produce, and milk, and a variety of locally processed foods. Currently, dining services provides hormone-free milk, sustainable salmon and shrimp, and fair trade coffee.

All new construction or major renovations must meet LEED Silver specifications, at a minimum, and the North Campus residence halls will seek the Energy Star label. Some buildings are equipped with occupancy sensors for lighting and heating, and low-flow plumbing fixtures have been installed in four campus buildings.

The recently formed Bentley Green Society works to educate the campus community about energy use and recycling. The Green Society holds water bottle exchanges once per semester, during which students may exchange plastic water bottles for a reusable bottle. The sustainability manager runs an Eco-Reps program, and the new-student orientation includes sessions on recycling and sustainability.

Twelve of the university’s 36 vehicles are electric golf carts, and bike racks are located outside every academic building, the student center, and the athletic center. A free shuttle stops at seven points around campus, and shuttles also connect the campus to the nearest subway station.

The university makes a 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 does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds. Bentley offers donors the option of directing gifts to an investment fund that considers environmental/sustainability factors.

The university's independent investment consultants, in conjunction with the administration, handle the details of proxy voting.