Drexel University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Drexel University has an administrative sustainability council as well as student-led Drexel Green committees, which address issues of academics, student life, housing, and commuter programs. Drexel employs five staff positions related to sustainability and the university has included sustainability as a goal in its master plan. Sustainability reports and developments are posted on the Drexel Green website.

The university sources 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources. Energy efficiency retrofits have included upgrades of HVAC systems, boilers, and lab equipment. Green tips are distributed regularly to the campus community to promote energy conservation. Drexel recently completed its first greenhouse gas inventory.

Dining services spends 8 percent of its annual food budget on local and sustainably produced foods, including produce and dairy. Fair trade coffee is offered at all locations and there is a discount for using reusable mugs and bags. A comprehensive recycling program collects traditional materials and electrical equipment. Drexel sends its waste cooking oil to be converted into biodiesel.

Drexel has formally adopted the Green Globes rating system as a guideline for all new construction and renovation projects. Drexel's Guidelines for Sustainable Building Designs outline further specifications for building. The campus has five buildings that meet LEED criteria. A new irrigation system will conserve 25 million gallons of water each year. Motion sensors for lighting and low flow-sinks have been installed on campus, and all residence halls have low-flow showerheads.

Drexel Green began as a student initiative and has since been incorporated into the university's administrative efforts. The Environmental Sustainability Living and Learning Community houses ten students. Four student organizations are actively involved with sustainability on campus, including Drexel Sierra Club, which runs many educational events and is encouraging the university to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 80 percent by 2050. During the Drexel Blackout competition, students in residence halls and Greek houses reduced their energy consumption by 12 percent.

Drexel offers incentives to carpool and a 10 percent discount on public transit to all university members. Seventy percent of the campus community commutes via environmentally preferable transit. The university's shuttle runs on biodiesel and provides free transportation on and around campus. Bike- and car-sharing programs are also available.

A list of all holdings is sent to select members of the community upon request. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in community development loan funds.

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