Texas A&M University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The Sustainability and Environmental Management Committee provides recommendations on sustainability-related programs and initiatives and represents a diverse group of stakeholders, including representatives from six state agencies. The university employs one full-time staff member in the sustainability office and purchases some Energy Star appliances and green cleaning products.

Between 2004 and 2007, the university decreased its overall carbon footprint by 5.6 percent. From 2001 to 2009, energy use fell by over 31 percent, and a large portion of campus space has been retrocommissioned for energy efficiency. A lighting retrofit project is currently underway in most campus buildings. Energy conservation tips are published daily in the campus newsletter, and there are ongoing educational programs for residence hall occupants. A pilot program has been launched to ensure minimal building utility consumption during low-occupancy times, as well as to increase occupant awareness of energy conservation through one-on-one communication.

Dining services spends 10 percent of its annual food budget on local items and purchases seafood in accordance with sustainability guidelines. An on-campus eatery, The Tomato Bar, emphasizes organic and sustainable food choices. A recycling program is in place for traditional and electronic materials.

The campus master plan mandates that all new construction meet LEED Silver criteria. Lighting motion sensors have been installed in 15 percent of maintained building space.

The student government's Environmental Issues Committee organizes a recycling effort at Kyle Field after each home football game, which has helped divert three tons of plastic from landfills. Over 76 percent of students voted in favor of a referendum to support increased university investment in sustainability. Students reduced their energy use by nearly 15 percent during last year's Residence Hall Energy Challenge.

A free biodiesel-powered transit system offers nine routes to popular off-campus destinations, and financial incentives encourage commuters to carpool. A campus car-sharing program makes ten hybrid vehicles available for rental to staff and student groups at no charge. Forty-five percent of individuals commute to campus via environmentally preferable transportation.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings and proxy voting records available to the public by request, as per open record law. The Texas A&M Foundation makes information on endowment holdings available only to trustees and senior administrators. The foundation does not make public a list of votes cast on proxy resolutions.

The university aims to optimize investment is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles. The Texas A&M Foundation also aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds and is exploring further investment.

The university and the foundation ask that their investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.