Ithaca College

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Ithaca College's 2001 Comprehensive Environmental Policy addresses purchasing, efficiency, conservation, waste minimization, and campus planning. The college has two full-time staff whose job duties include coordinating campus sustainability initiatives. The Resource and Environmental Management Program (REMP) committee has recently worked to increase recycling rates, strengthen the postconsumer compost programs, and address behavioral change for energy conservation.

The college has reduced emissions by 5 percent from 2007 levels and is committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. A digital control system allows for temperature and HVAC airflow setbacks, as well as efficiency monitoring. Renewable energy is purchased for two LEED Platinum buildings. The REMP works to educate the campus about energy conservation.

Dining services purchases from four local farms, a local dairy, and serves fair trade coffee. All dining halls are trayless and compost pre- and postconsumer food waste. The college has several programs for surplus item reallocation and a move-out collection program. The campus has a 50 percent waste diversion rate.

New buildings and major renovations will strive for the equivalent of LEED Silver certification at a minimum. The college's Park Center for Business and Sustainable Enterprise is LEED Platinum–certified. LEED Platinum certification is anticipated for the Peggy R Williams Center, which Ithaca expects will make it the first college to have two Platinum buildings. Clarke Hall is Energy Star–labeled. Residence life has installed shower timers in many of the student facilities.

Volunteer Resource Reps monitor energy use and recycling in dorms, and the school employs several sustainability interns. Students have the option of living in the Sustainably Conscious Living Community. Ithaca has a new student-run organic vegetable garden and holds an annual Hall Wars energy competition. Student government worked to increase bicycle infrastructure on campus, and the REMP group held Zero Waste Events.

Public transportation is subsidized 30 percent for students and 100 percent for faculty and staff. The college partnered with surrounding colleges and the community to create a car-sharing program.

The college makes a list of all holdings available to the public at the investment office. The college has no known policy about disclosure of its mutual funds' shareholder voting records.

The college aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds. The college's investment policy reserves the right to restrict investments on any social issue.

The college does not have the ability to vote proxies, as the entire endowment is invested in mutual funds.