Hofstra University

College Sustainability Report Card 2011

Hofstra University has incorporated environmental stewardship as a component of its strategic plan. A sustainability committee has worked on a number of initiatives, including bringing a farmers market to campus, purchasing local food, installing energy-efficient technologies, increasing recycling, and developing a ride-share program. The university has a sustainability office and a full-time sustainability coordinator.

To reduce energy use, the university has implemented several measures, including temperature setbacks, energy management systems, and HVAC system upgrades, and has installed efficient lighting, lighting sensors, vending machine sensors, and temperature control timers. Awareness campaigns and energy audits encourage community members to conserve energy.

Dining services purchases a variety of local foods, including fruit, vegetables, eggs, and milk. Fair trade coffee is available at some on-campus dining locations. Disposable dishware made of recycled or biodegradable content is available, and discounts are offered for using reusable mugs and bags. Excess food is donated to a local food bank, and a furniture exchange is run year round.

The university has three Energy Star-labeled buildings and has repurposed five spaces for alternative use. Half of all construction and demolition waste is diverted from landfills. The school utilizes green cleaning products in building maintenance. In order to reduce water consumption, the university has installed advanced laundry technology as well as low-flow faucets and showerheads.

Environmental student groups at Hofstra have worked on a variety of initiatives, such as increasing local food purchases, eliminating the use of styrofoam dishware, developing a community garden, and bringing more farmers markets to campus. Sustainability-themed housing is available for students, and the message of environmental awareness is incorporated into orientation through a zero-waste meal.

Public transportation subsidies are offered to school employees. Hofstra provides a free shuttle service to on- and off-campus destinations, and a car-sharing program is available to the school community. The administration makes an effort to construct bike paths on campus.

The university makes a list of external managers, mutual funds, and asset allocation, as well as cash, real estate, equity, and fixed income holdings, available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment returns and does not invest the endowment in on-campus sustainability projects, renewable energy funds, or community development loan funds.

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