Duquesne University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Duquesne University's facilities department has implemented a green cleaning program featuring environmentally friendly cleaning products. A page on the school's website is devoted to sustainability.

The university has operated a cogeneration plant for over ten years. An ice storage system increases the efficiency of the cogeneration and cooling plant. During the 2007-2008 academic year, Duquesne purchased more than 8 million kilowatt-hours of renewable energy credits, equivalent to 100 percent of the university's energy use.

Duquesne contracts with a local dairy and receives some local produce through its distributor. Fair trade coffee is served at multiple locations. Dining services has switched to using primarily china instead of disposable containers in retail locations, and all dining halls have been trayless since fall 2008. Duquesne has a recycling program that includes paper, plastic, cardboard, newspaper, and aluminum.

The campus recreation center is registered to be LEED Silver-certified. Duquesne seeks LEED certification for all renovations, where appropriate.

Evergreen, a student group on campus, encourages waste reduction and the use of urban vegetation. The group recently planted a community garden and sponsors events, including the annual Earth Day fair, monthly cleanups, and a Green Week held during the fall semester.

Duquesne partners with a car-sharing program. The university has not made public any other programs or practices that encourage or facilitate the use of alternative forms of transportation.

The university has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

The university aims to optimize investment return and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The university has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.