University of Notre Dame

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The Energy and Environmental Issues Committee approved six policies for campus sustainability. Notre Dame employs three full-time staff members in its Office of Sustainability and the university has dramatically increased its purchase of environmentally friendly paper products in 2009 due to a campus-wide campaign.

Notre Dame reduced its carbon emissions by 7.5 percent between 2008 and 2009. Each campus building has its own sustainability commissioner who encourages energy conservation and implements customized programs. The university has committed to HVAC system, lighting, and control upgrades in 24 buildings.

Dining services devotes approximately 47 percent of its budget to local items. Students are entered into a monthly raffle each time they bring reusable Grab-N-Go bags to dining locations. The raffle has averaged 800 participants each month. The Old-2-Gold end-of-semester collection program diverted more than 76 tons of waste from landfills.

All buildings are constructed to exceed state efficiency standards by 25 percent. The university has seven buildings targeting LEED-certified or LEED Silver status. Notre Dame plans to increase the installation of low-flow faucets and showerheads, waterless urinals, and dual-flush toilets by 5 percent annually.

In 2009, the student organization GreeND hosted the campus’ first Green Fashion Show, among other events. Seven paid student interns work in the Office of Sustainability. The winning residence hall of the dorm energy competition was rewarded $500 for reducing its energy use by 31 percent.

The university fleet utilizes six hybrid vehicles. The Transpo Bus provides the campus community free transport to local destinations and the South Bend metro, and a shuttle service runs between key points on campus. The university's master plan prioritizes pedestrian access around campus.

The university makes a list of all holdings available only to trustees and senior administrators. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds and on-campus energy and water efficiency projects.

The investment committee of the board of trustees deliberates and makes decisions on proxy votes.