Unity College

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Sustainability principles are core to all college policies. The full-time sustainability coordinator reports to the president, and sits on the Master Planning Committee. Sustainability is central to the work of the Leadership Council with representatives from the administration, faculty, staff, and students. This committee assesses sustainability in nine areas: Energy, Food, Materials, Wellness, Governance, Investment, Learning, Aesthetics, and Interpretation. Sustainability is featured in all campus job descriptions, and sustainability plans are required of all campus departments.

The college has committed to carbon neutrality as soon as possible, and achieved a 20 percent reduction in green house gas emissions since 2001. The Unity House has a 5.4 kw solar array and solar hot water system. The student resident "Eco-Cottage" has a small wind turbine, and Unity has purchased 99 percent of its electricity through Renewable Energy Credits.

The college spends thousands of dollars per year on local and sustainably produced foods. All yogurt and some milk and cheese products are hormone free and 75 percent of seafood served on campus comes from Portland Harbor near the college. The college provides vegan options daily and offers fairly traded coffee options. The college recycles all traditional materials.

The Unity House is LEED Platinum-certified, and four other buildings on campus meet LEED standards, but are not certified.

The college sustainability office employs twelve work-study students, and volunteers frequently drive on-campus sustainaiblity efforts for and outside of coursework. Students have the opportunity to learn low impact living by residing in the Eco Cottage. Students can also participate in paid sustainability internships or join one of the college's seven student groups focused on environmental sustainability.

The college’s master plan focuses on open space and pedestrian walkways. Most people walk to their destinations on campus due to Unity’s small size.

No evaluation was made of Endowment Transparency because the school's endowment size does not meet the minimum threshold of $16 million in assets.

No evaluation was made of Investment Priorities because the school's endowment size does not meet the minimum threshold of $16 million in assets.

No evaluation was made of Shareholder Engagement because the school's endowment size does not meet the minimum threshold of $16 million in assets.