University of Maine

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The University of Maine has a sustainability council composed of students, faculty, administrators, and staff, and employs a full-time sustainability coordinator. A recently adopted campus master plan focuses on pedestrian-friendly improvements, sustainable design, and resource protection.

The university is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2040. Two residential-scale solar thermal systems are in place on Nutting Hall and Sebec House. A green loan fund provides capital for energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. The university is upgrading its heating system to add cogeneration capacity.

The University of Maine composts food scraps from dining facilities, and York Dining Hall has gone trayless to reduce waste. Dining services sources vegetables from two acres of certified organic farm land owned by the university. The university diverts 50 percent of its waste stream to be recycled.

The university requires all new campus construction to meet LEED Silver standards. The AEWC Center, William C. Wells Dining Center, Student Recreation and Fitness Center, Foster Student Innovation Center, and Wells Commons Convention Center have all achieved LEED certification.

New-student orientation coordinates with student environmental groups to incorporate sustainability programming. Eco Reps promote sustainable living practices in residence halls. The student-led University of Maine Green Team has worked to build local and political environmental awareness.

A faculty and staff carpooling program gives participants a free parking permit and space. Beginning in fall 2009, the university, local government, and regional transportation authority will operate a free shuttle that will connect the campus to downtown Orono.The Blue Bike program refurbishes abandoned bikes and rents them to students free of charge.

The University of Maine Foundation has no known policy of disclosure of current endowment holdings or shareholder voting records.

The foundation aims to optimize investment return and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The foundation has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.