University of Georgia

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The University of Georgia's Sustainability Working Group, which consists of administrators, faculty, staff, and students, is charged with reporting on campus sustainability initiatives. Sustainability is a component of the campus master plan and is being incorporated as a critical aspect of the newest version of the university's strategic plan, which is under development.

The university conducts energy audits on submetered buildings. The university is currently designing the Northwest Central Utility Plant, which will provide hot water for parts of the campus and eliminate the need for chillers in 16 individual buildings. HVAC, electrical, plumbing, and ventilation systems have been upgraded, and the energy management office conducts lightbulb exchanges.

Vegan and vegetarian entrees are available daily. The university serves local foods in one campus dining venue and contributes to a local food distribution charity. Since 1983, the university has reclaimed 100 percent of leaf and limb debris as compost. A traditional recycling program has reached a 35 percent diversion rate.

All new construction and renovation projects must follow LEED requirements. The university has two buildings and three projects pending LEED certification, and 80 percent of construction waste is diverted from the landfill.

The GoGreen Alliance represents nearly 30 campus environmental organizations and works with the physical plant department and university architects office on sustainability projects. The Residence Hall Association is working with the Department of University Housing to form a sustainability committee.

The university bus fleet transports more than nine million riders each year and partners with the Athens-Clarke County Transportation and Public Works Department to provide free bus passes to students, faculty, and staff. All 47 buses in the fleet are equipped to use biodiesel fuel. Parking services offers incentives to the university community to use alternative modes of transportation. The campus master plan calls for a more pedestrian-friendly campus with bike lanes installed where possible.

The Arch Foundation makes a list of all endowment holdings available to all members of the school community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni, and sends it upon request. The UGA Foundation makes a list of external managers available to the campus community and sends it upon request. However, it does not make its proxy voting records available.

The UGA Foundation aims to optimize investment return, is currently invested in renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles, and is exploring further investment. The Arch Foundation aims to optimize investment return and is exploring investment in renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles.

The UGA Foundation asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting. The Arch Foundation does not have the ability to vote proxies as the entire equity holdings of the endowment are invested in mutual funds.