Bucknell University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Bucknell's master plan incorporates sustainability objectives, including the restoration of a stream located on campus. The Campus Greening Council has worked on issues including food waste reduction in cafeterias, environmentally friendly practices in endowment investments, and developing a climate action plan. The council also passed a policy that mandates the purchase of Energy Star products and of paper that is 30 percent recycled. Some cleaning products are Green Seal-certified.

Bucknell switched from a coal power plant to a cogeneration plant, resulting in carbon emissions that are 40 percent lower than 1990 levels. Buildings with high energy consumption are retrocommissioned, and temperature set points were changed to reduce the heating and cooling load. The environmental center is partially powered by solar panels. Bucknell purchases 10 percent of its energy in the form of wind renewable energy credits.

Bucknell buys 25 percent of its food, including all dairy and bread, from local sources. All milk and ice cream is hormone-free, and half of seafood purchased meets sustainable fishing guidelines. The university has partnerships with two fair trade coffee plantations, and all coffee in the resident dining program is fair trade. Reusable take-out containers are available.

The university has installed ambient light sensors, motion sensors, light timers, and LED lighting in many buildings. All laundry machines are low-energy, and one-third of faucets, showerheads, and toilets are low-flow. Major construction projects are considered for LEED specifications.

There are 25 green student jobs on campus, plus student recycling monitors in dorms. Students run the bike-sharing program. The Bucknell Environmental Club has implemented sustainability programs in dining halls, led a "Look How Trashy I Am" waste reduction competition, and planned programming for a climate action festival. The club has also organized a sustainability-themed co-op residence, which will open in fall 2009.

The campus fleet includes three hybrid cars. Bison Bikes is a communal bike-sharing program. The new master plan describes a bike- and pedestrian-friendly campus. There is a free student shuttle to shopping destinations and the airport. The student government is developing a car-sharing program.

The university makes a list of all holdings available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds. Bucknell has an investment manager focused solely on investing in renewable/sustainable energy projects.

Most of the endowment is in mutual funds or other commingled investment vehicles. For separately managed accounts, the university asks its investment managers to handle the details of proxy voting.