University of Toledo

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The University of Toledo’s strategic plan includes a sustainability component. The Go Green Working Group includes administrators, faculty, staff, and students and has worked to improve the campus's recycling program. Sustainability efforts are also a concern of the university’s energy management department.

The university has set a goal of reducing energy consumption to 20 percent below 2004 levels by 2014. In order to make the campus more energy efficient, temperature setbacks are implemented when buildings are unoccupied, and heating and cooling systems are being upgraded across campus. The university also purchases renewable energy credits to offset some of its energy consumption.

Dining services purchases cage-free eggs, hormone- and antibiotic-free dairy products, and some local foods. Dining halls are equipped with water- and energy-efficient dishwashers, and all locations are trayless. The university has switched to paper-based takeout containers, eliminating the use of polystyrene-based containers. Fryer oil is recycled into biodiesel.

UT is committed to sustainable building design. Memorial Field House is LEED Gold-certified, five buildings on campus meet LEED criteria, and nine buildings have been renovated to LEED-EB standards. Showerheads have been replaced with low-flow models in some buildings, and ambient light sensors have been installed in 25 percent of maintained space.

During new-student orientation, students are required to attend a presentation about sustainable transportation options. There are two student organizations that focus on sustainability issues, including the Society for Environmental Education. This year during the annual Black Out energy conservation competition, energy consumption was reduced by 12 percent.

The campus fleet includes 13 biodiesel and 10 flex-fuel vehicles. University shuttles provide transportation on and around campus, and 20 percent of commuters use environmentally preferable transit methods.

The university makes a list of external managers, mutual funds, and cash holdings available to the public online. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

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