University of Illinois

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Chaired by Chancellor Herman, the Sustainability Council is comprised of top leadership including all of the vice chancellors, key operational directors, and students. Sustainability is addressed in the campus master and strategic plans, and sustainability principles are being infused into campus culture through integration with academics, research, public engagement, and operations. The Office of Sustainability, with six employees, is charged with implementation and coordination of campus efforts.

The university has exceeded its goal of reducing energy use 10 percent by 2010 by realizing a 9.8 percent reduction in two years. A revised goal of a 25 percent reduction by 2013 is being implemented. The university’s retrocommissioning team has completed over 1.6 million square feet of upgrades in campus buildings. Campus community members can participate in the Energy Liaisons program to promote conservation and share ideas for savings.

Dining services sources from 17 local farms and a local dairy, and began purchasing produce from a student-run farm in May 2009. A student group converts all waste vegetable oil to biodiesel. Trayless dining has been implemented, and a composting program will begin in fall 2009. The university diverts nearly 50 percent of its campus waste from the landfill. Unwanted items are collected from residence halls at the end of the semester for donation.

All construction projects costing over $5 million must achieve LEED Silver certification and the Business Instructional Facility is expected to achieve LEED Gold or Platinum certification. The university has nine other buildings in the design or construction phase that will seek LEED Silver certification at a minimum.

Illinois has at least nine sustainability-related student organizations. The Student Sustainability Committee is empowered to allocate funding from student fees toward campus sustainability projects. The university held a Green Career Fair in the spring and offers two sustainability internships. Participating residence halls reduced energy consumption by 5 percent during the Energy Cup Competition held in spring 2009.

Public transportation is completely subsidized for students, faculty, and staff. The university has a pilot bike-sharing program and a car-sharing program. The mission included in the campus master plan prioritizes the accommodation of pedestrians, bicycles, and transit systems.

A list of all endowment holdings is only made available to trustees and senior administrators. The University of Illinois Foundation makes a list of external managers available to the public online. A list of votes cast on proxy resolutions is made available only to trustees and senior administrators upon request.

The foundation aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds. One of the foundation's fund managers includes sustainability factors.

The foundation asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.