Louisiana State University–Baton Rouge

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The campus master plan aims to create a more pedestrian- and bike-friendly campus. The university employs a campus sustainability manager in the Office of Campus Planning/Sustainability. The Campus Committee for Sustainability is working to develop programs and policies related to energy efficiency and purchasing, and has initiated feasibility studies for composting, green cleaning, power management, biodiesel production, and construction waste diversion.

The university has completed an emissions inventory. A cogeneration plant, a central energy management system, HVAC cutbacks, and variable frequency drives all serve to increase energy efficiency and conservation. The sustainability office plans to perform building audits and make recommendations for greening administrative offices.

Dining services purchases from a local dairy and three local farms, and chefs and managers are encouraged to establish relationships with local farmers. Hormone- and antibiotic-free chicken and pork are served, as well as cage-free eggs. All fish is purchased according to Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines. Dining halls are trayless, and the university composts some food scraps.

The Sustainability Plan Review Team provides comments at each phase of design for construction and renovation projects. Motion sensors have been installed in more than 15 percent of indoor lighting systems, and more than 75 percent of lights on campus have been retrofitted. All residence halls have low-flow showerheads, and 50 percent of bathrooms have low-low faucets. The LAHouse has a greywater recycle unit.

The sustainability office hires two interns each semester. Students voted in April 2009 to direct excess funds from student fees toward expanding the recycling program. Student government has a director of sustainability and is working to bring a farmers market onto campus. Students reduced energy consumption by an average of 18 percent during the UNPLUG Energy Challenge.

The university is implementing a new bus system that will expand coverage and is free to the public. The city bus service is free to students, faculty, and staff. The university has a bike rental program, and the ECO student group auctions off abandoned bikes to students. The original Easy Streets program closed the center of campus to traffic, and a second part of this study is underway to improve bicycle safety by creating bike lanes and closing additional streets to traffic.

The Louisiana State University Foundation makes a list of all holdings available only to trustees and senior administrators. The foundation does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The foundation aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

Most of the endowment is in mutual funds or other commingled investment vehicles. For separately managed accounts, the foundation asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.