College of the Holy Cross

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Holy Cross purchases only Energy Star equipment and uses Green Seal–certified cleaning products whenever available. In early 2009, the President's Task Force on the Environment focused on developing a carbon neutral plan for the campus along with creating a formal process for sustainability project proposals.

The college reduced emissions by 14 percent from 2007 to 2009 and has a goal for a 20 percent reduction by 2015. Holy Cross has created an energy conservation policy and has retrofitted HVAC systems, upgraded boilers, and installed energy-efficient lighting. Strategic temperature set points reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling, and signs on campus promote energy conservation.

Dining services spends 21 percent of their annual food budget on local and sustainably produced foods. All milk is hormone and antibiotic free and produced locally. The school serves exclusively fair trade coffee, and discounts are offered for bringing a reusable mug. Excess food is donated to local shelters, and used oil is recycled into biodiesel.

Holy Cross mandates that all new construction and major renovation projects meet LEED Silver standards. Lighting motion sensors have been installed in multiple buildings, low-flow showerheads and faucets are found in all residence halls, and laundry machines have been replaced with energy- and water-saving models. Seventy-five percent of construction waste is recycled.

Eco-Action, an active student group, promotes waste reduction and water conservation, and raises awareness about environmental issues. The group's dining committee has been instrumental in expanding recycling on campus and implementing trayless dining. The group has also created a new program to place environmental representatives in all residence halls. The director of environmental concerns is a liaison between the student government and the greater campus community.

The college began a partnership with a car-sharing program in 2007. The student government provides shuttles to local destinations, and there is an additional shuttle service provided by a consortium of colleges in the area. Freshmen and sophomores are not allowed to bring cars to campus, and gates have been installed to limit vehicle access.

The college makes a list of all holdings available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community. This information is available at the investment office.

The college aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds. The college is also exploring, but not currently invested in, community development loan funds.

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