Wesleyan University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

The Sustainability Advisory Group has published Wesleyan's first review of environmental sustainability on campus and is currently developing a climate action plan. The campus master plan includes environmental stewardship as a university goal. The university uses copy paper made with 30 percent postconsumer recycled content.

Wesleyan has completed its first greenhouse gas emissions inventory and has committed to reducing emissions to 1990 levels by 2010, to 10 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, and to a long-term reduction of 75 to 85 percent from current levels. A new cogeneration plant supplies 81 percent of the university's electricity.

Dining services sources from more than 13 local farms and producers, including local dairies and an on-campus farm. The university serves exclusively cage-free eggs, fair trade coffee, hormone- and antibiotic-free dairy, and sustainably harvested fish. Grass-fed beef and hormone- and antibiotic-free meats are also purchased. Wesleyan composts its food waste and has recently removed trays from the dining halls.

As per state law, all new construction projects over $5 million and renovation projects over $2 million must be built to LEED Silver standards. Wesleyan has one LEED-certified residence hall and a university center built to LEED criteria.

The Environmental Organizers Network hosts events, works with the advisory group on environmental issues, and initiated an annual Do it in the Dark residence hall competition to reduce energy usage. A new sustainability-themed residence house focuses on sustainable food production at the campus farm.

Wesleyan has incorporated the state ride-share program into its transportation plan and hosts on an online ride-share board for commuters. The university fleet uses four electric vehicles for campus operations, and plans are in place to add a bike storage room at the Molecular Life Sciences Building.

A list of all endowment holdings, as well as a list of votes cast on proxy resolutions on a company-specific level, including the number of shares, is available on a password-protected website to all members of the school community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

Wesleyan aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds. The university is exploring, but not currently invested in, community development loan funds and on-campus sustainability projects.

An advisory committee with five students, two faculty members, two alumni representatives, and two staff makes proxy voting recommendations to the board of trustees.