University of Massachusetts–Amherst

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

UMass Amherst employs a part-time sustainability coordinator and maintains a website detailing green initiatives. The Environmental Performance Advisory Committee, composed of students, faculty, and staff, has initiated plans to complete a climate action plan to achieve carbon neutrality.

UMass Amherst has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 25 percent below 2002 levels by 2012. Knowles Engineering Building features a 7.5-kilowatt array of photovoltaic solar panels all made in Massachusetts. Temperature levels were reset in buildings across campus to improve energy conservation efforts.

Dining services hired a sustainability officer and purchases approximately 25 percent of its produce from local farms, as well as sources from a local dairy. All dining facilities on campus compost both pre- and postconsumer food waste, and are trayless as of fall 2009. The campus recycling program diverts 56 of its waste stream.

The university's green building policy sets a goal of LEED Silver certification or Massachusetts LEED Plus for all new buildings over 20,000 square feet. The police station is being designed to achieve LEED Gold certification, and the marching band building will meet LEED Silver standards.

The Eco-Reps program works with 60 percent of the student population living on campus to promote sustainable behavioral choices. The student government created the Environmental Committee to work with the administration on sustainability policies and the group Sustainable UMass Action Community promotes environmental awareness and activism.

UMass Amherst's fleet includes four hybrids and fuels all diesel vehicles with a B20 mix. Carpool permits offer reduced fees and maintenance costs, as well as preferred parking spaces. UMass Transit Services coordinates with the public transportation service to reach on-campus and local destinations throughout the Pioneer Valley.

The university and the UMass Foundation have no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or shareholder voting records.

The university and the UMass Foundation aim to optimize investment return and have not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The university and the UMass Foundation have not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.