Bryant University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Bryant University has a purchasing policy that mandates procurement of some Energy Star appliances, Green Seal Certified paper towels, and some Green Seal-certified cleaning product dispensers. All pesticides used in landscaping are organic.

Bryant's new green data center has consolidated four server sites into one, reducing energy use by 35 percent. Some geothermal energy is used on campus. HVAC systems have been upgraded through extensive use of variable speed drives and premium efficiency motors. A campus-wide automation system controls building temperature to reduce energy use when buildings are unoccupied.

The local foods program, Community Fruit, features products from local farms served in the dining halls. Local eggs, dairy, and bread are also offered. All milk is hormone free, and nearly half of the seafood meets guidelines for sustainable fishing. Food waste is weighed twice a year, and the results are publicized as an incentive for students to reduce waste. Bryant composts or mulches 100 percent of landscaping waste. Used furniture is donated as opposed to going to the landfill.

All incandescent lights have been eliminated, and occupancy sensors have been installed. Bryant has replaced 25 percent of campus windows with low-emissivity glass, which reduces the need for cooling within buildings. All dorms have low-flow showerheads, and some have water-saving toilets.

The student senate has made recycling bins more accessible, entered the university in RecycleMania, and hosted Green Week, which featured speakers and events with information about sustainability. The student group Emerging Green Leaders assisted with the week. The group also works to further expand recycling, and publishes weekly "Go Green" articles in the newspaper.

Bryant offers a free shuttle to local destinations in order to reduce the number of students who drive. The master plan calls for a pedestrian-friendly campus, with cars banned from the center of campus.

The university makes a list of all holdings available only to trustees and senior administrators. The university does not make public the shareholder voting record of its mutual funds or commingled funds.

The university aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The university does not have the ability to vote proxies, as the entire endowment is invested in mutual and commingled funds.