University of Alaska–Fairbanks

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The 11-member University of Alaska Fairbanks Campus Sustainability Task Force is dedicated to creating a sustainability plan for the university and has recommended a green purchasing policy. The university is currently testing the use of Green Seal–certified cleaning products in several campus buildings.

Facilities installed a small solar photovoltaic system in 2007, and the university uses a cogeneration power plant. Efficiency upgrades have been performed on various campus systems, including HVAC and lighting. The Save a Watt conservation campaign has placed more than 1,000 stickers in offices and classrooms to remind staff, faculty, and students to turn off lights.

The university purchases locally processed coffee, baked goods, and ice cream, as well as some organic food. The grounds department also grows vegetables for use in the dining halls. Preconsumer food scraps from three dining halls are composted, and leftover food is donated to a local food bank. All dining halls are trayless, and waste cooking oil is recycled for fuel. In 2009, UAF held its first “Really Free Market,” a clothing and furniture swap at the end of the academic year.

The university intends to have new major construction projects meet LEED specifications. Numerous remodeling and renovation projects incorporate green building features and energy conservation techniques are suited to the subarctic climate.

The student-led Sustainable Campus Task Force hosts an annual Earth Day celebration and recently worked on the issues of bike-sharing, car-sharing, and green building on campus. In spring 2009, the Associated Students of UAF voted to institute a sustainability student fee, which is expected to generate $200,000 annually. The chancellor matched that funding amount with internal reallocation of university funds.

The university owns five hybrid vehicles, and members of the campus community can ride free on the local public bus system. Campus shuttles provide transportation around campus and throughout the local area. The university participates in a car-sharing program. Parking lots are situated around the campus perimeter to support a pedestrian-friendly campus.

The University of Alaska Foundation makes a list of external managers available to the public per open records law, and sends the information upon request. It makes a list of all holdings available on a password-protected website to trustees, senior administrators, and select members of the community. 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.

The foundation does not have the ability to vote proxies, as the entire endowment is invested in mutual funds.