Fordham University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

A sustainability committee, established by Fordham University's president, meets monthly and includes representation from all areas of the university. A senior administrator was appointed to chair the committee, which has worked to improve recycling, establish a solar array, and perform a university-wide energy and greenhouse gas audit. All appliances must be Energy Star-certified, cleaning supplies must be Green Seal-certified, and paper products are 30 percent postconsumer recycled content.

As a participant in the PlaNYC mayoral challenge, Fordham has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2017. Accordingly, the university has completed a carbon emissions inventory and has developed steps to achieve the goal. The university reduced its emissions by 11 percent between 2005 and 2009. Energy-efficient fluorescent lighting and centralized building management systems have been installed.

Fordham purchases from ten local farms and all baked goods come from seven local bakeries. Dining services spends 10 percent of its budget on locally grown food, and fair trade coffee and hormone-free milk is served. The main dining hall offers reusable china, and biodegradable takeout containers are available in all locations. Landscaping operations composts all yard waste.

Fordham's sustainability policy has committed the university to achieving LEED Silver certification on all new construction and major building renovations. Two dormitories under construction are registered for LEED certification and are expected to achieve Gold ratings. Most of the university's buildings have been converted to low-flow plumbing and energy-efficient lighting.

New-student orientation encourages recycling and energy reduction. The student government is working in collaboration with Fordham's food service vendor to purchase more fair trade items. Student representatives are part of the sustainability committee.

Over 20 percent of the university's security and facilities departmental fleets consist of electric or hybrid vehicles. Van service is provided between the university's campuses, and nightly service to mass transit is available for students.

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.