Clemson University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Clemson has two sustainability committees comprised of faculty, staff, and students. One committee focuses on policies and one addresses actions. According to Clemson's purchasing policy, the university buys only Energy Star products, 30 percent postconsumer recycled paper, Green Seal cleaning products, and uses integrated pest management rather than pesticides when possible.

The university has committed to reducing carbon emissions to 20 percent below 2000 levels by 2020. Between 2007 and 2009 emissions were reduced by 7.8 percent. To save energy, temperature set points have been altered, HVAC use is reduced during times of low building occupancy, and over 11,000 light fixtures are being replaced with energy-efficient T-8 fluorescent bulbs.

Clemson purchases food from 22 local sources and makes its own bread and dairy products. Meat and organic produce come from an on-campus farm. Postconsumer food scraps are composted in two dining halls. Removal of trays reduced water consumption by 1,814,800 gallons. Food management software ensures that food production matches demand. An end-of-year move-out program diverts students' unwanted goods from the waste stream.

All new buildings and major renovations must achieve LEED Silver certification. There are nine LEED-certified buildings on campus. The toilets and showerheads in all campus residence halls have been replaced with low-flow models. Clemson is recommissioning and performing energy audits in seven major buildings.

The group Students for Environmental Awareness has assisted with the student organic farm, organized recycling for tailgaters at football games, and helped with outreach events like the Garden Fest and Earth Day. Students are also involved in Solid Green, which coordinates events designed to raise awareness and promote solutions to environmental issues.

People who carpool to campus are eligible for a discounted parking permit and reserved parking spots. The Clemson Area Transit buses are free for students, faculty, and staff. The buses go throughout campus and to surrounding destinations. The master plan places pedestrians' needs as the highest priority, and encourages the use of bicycles.

The Clemson University Foundation makes a list of external managers, a list of mutual funds, and all holdings available online to the public. Votes cast by the mutual fund manager on proxy resolutions on a company-specific level are available online to the public.

The foundation aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles. Within constraints otherwise set by investment policy and operating practices, the foundation is cognizant of investments that promote a sustainable environment.

The university does not have the ability to vote proxies, as all public sector investments that comprise the vast majority of the endowment are invested in mutual funds.