Mount Holyoke College

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Mount Holyoke's strategic plan designates environmental stewardship as a campus priority. The Environmental Management Steering Committee, composed of faculty, staff, and students, developed a Greenhouse Gas Reduction Strategy for meeting their 2020 goals. A new water conservation working group joined the four existing working groups this year. The college purchases Energy Star appliances and EPEAT-registered technology.

Mount Holyoke succeeded in reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent from 2003 levels through a variety of efficiency programs. The college has purchased enough wind renewable energy credits to power its newest residence hall for two years, as well as all computers on campus. A cogeneration system provides 6 to 8 percent of the campus's energy.

Fair trade coffee and locally grown produce are served. Dining services purchases seafood in accordance with Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch guidelines. The college's composting program diverted 160 tons of food waste and, due to source-reduction initiatives, the average waste per student has decreased by 11 percent since 2005.

Campus building projects are designed according to specific environmental principles. The campus has five LEED-certified buildings, including a new Gold-level residence hall. All buildings have been retrofitted with low-flow faucets, and a quarter of the campus has undergone lighting renovations.

The Environmental Action Coalition and Eco-Reps are active partners in campus stewardship. Orientation features the “Lick It Green” event, serving locally made ice cream and highlighting how students can get involved in Mount Holyoke’s green commitment. The winning dorm of the Kill-a-Watt Energy Conservation Competition reduced its energy use by 52 percent.

Alternative-fuel vehicles comprise 12 percent of the campus fleet. A free car-sharing program on campus features one hybrid vehicle. As directed in the master plan, the college is removing cars from the central campus incrementally as it upgrades sidewalks and bicycle racks.

The college makes a list of endowment holdings available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community on a password-protected site. The college does not make the shareholder voting record of its mutual funds/commingled funds public.

The college aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds and community development loan funds through its socially responsible investment fund.

The college does not have the ability to vote proxies, as the entire endowment is invested in mutual funds or other commingled funds. Donors can direct gifts to its socially responsible investment fund.