Lehigh University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

President Gast signed the Lehigh University Climate Commitment in April 2009. The commitment requires the university to complete a greenhouse gas inventory and establish a green building policy. The Lehigh Environmental Advisory Group (LEAG) is creating a green fund and worked to incorporate sustainability into new-student orientation.

The university has completed a greenhouse gas inventory and has performed HVAC system tune-ups and lighting retrofits. Temperature controls were also installed.

Dining services purchases produce, dairy, and baked goods from 13 local farms and processors. Dining halls are trayless, and reusable containers are offered for take-out. A move-out collection drive donates excess items to a local community center.

The university has installed motion sensors and low-flow fixtures. One campus building currently under construction meets LEED Silver certification criteria.

The Green House Community is an environmentally-themed residence. The Green Action student group and the Progressive Student Alliance worked with dining services to create a composting system that will begin fall 2009. The Environmental Coalition partnered with the facilities department to expand the campus recycling program, update the university's greenhouse gas inventory, and campaign for Lehigh's climate commitment.

The campus master plan addresses traffic patterns to create a pedestrian-friendly campus center. The university provides some transportation around campus.

The university makes a list of external managers available to the public at the investment office. A list of all holdings is made available only to trustees and senior administrators. A list of votes cast on proxy resolutions on a company-specific level, including the number of shares, is made available to the school community at the investment office.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds as well as community development loan funds. The university uses managers that look to invest in a variety of areas including renewable energy and clean technology.

Most of the endowment is limited partnerships or commingled investment vehicles. For separately managed accounts, the university's investment managers follow the recommendations of a third-party proxy service that is supportive of good governance as well as environmental policies and climate change.