University of Nevada–Las Vegas

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas's sustainability policy outlines immediate, one-year, five-year, ten-year, and twenty-year goals within the categories of academics, operations, campus planning, administration, and outreach. The university has an Energy Star purchasing policy and uses mostly Green Seal cleaning products as well as some organic pesticides.

Two paid student interns are fine tuning the preliminary data for the university's carbon emissions inventory. Energy efficiency has been improved through lighting retrofits, temperature setbacks, and the installation of skylights and reflective roofs. The Green U series educates the campus community on ways to reduce energy consumption.

Dining services has conserved 88,437 gallons of water and 53,063 pounds of food waste by going trayless in 2009. The university serves hormone- and antibiotic-free milk from local dairies and plans to double its purchase of fairly and responsibly traded products every year until 2015.

UNLV uses LEED-EB as a guideline for existing building renovations, replacements, and repairs and requires LEED Silver equivalence as the standard for new construction. Low-flow water fixtures, LED lighting, and lighting occupancy sensors have been integrated into numerous buildings.

The university offers two paid sustainability internships for students. The Recycling and Environmental Awareness Committee in the Halls (REACH) works to promote sustainability in residence halls and organized an Earth Hour event in March 2009. The active student organization Sierra Student Coalition is collaborating with UNLV’s Rebel Recycling Program to create a reusable office supply exchange program.

To promote carpooling, UNLV has joined a ride-matching and carpooling program and allows individuals to register multiple vehicles to one parking permit to save costs. Nearly a quarter of the university's fleet is comprised of alternative-fuel vehicles. Bike racks are required with new construction projects.

The University of Nevada-Las Vegas Foundation makes a list of all holdings available to the public. This information is available at the investment office. 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 asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.