Miami University

College Sustainability Report Card 2011

The University Senate Sustainability Committee, one of two sustainability committees at Miami University, has recommended a set of sustainability commitments, including increased endowment transparency. The university has appointed a faculty member to serve as part-time sustainability coordinator and regularly purchases Energy Star appliances and electronics, EPEAT-certified computers, and environmentally preferable paper products. In 2009, the university created a revolving loan fund for on-campus sustainability projects.

Miami has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 18 percent since 2006. Building energy consumption has decreased since 2005 through measures such as HVAC system upgrades and the installation of energy management systems and energy-efficient lighting. Through the This Makes Cents program, the university encourages community members to share energy conservation ideas. Building sustainability liaisons promote energy efficiency within their departments.

Dining services serves locally sourced, organic food products as well as vegetables and spices sourced from an on-campus garden. Confinement-free beef, sustainably harvested seafood, and hormone- and antibiotic-free dairy items are all served on campus. Fair trade coffee, chocolate, and tea are also purchased. The university recycles electronics in addition to traditional materials and runs move-in and move-out waste reduction programs.

Miami has six Energy Star-labeled buildings and one LEED-certified building. The university has installed low-flow faucets and showerheads as well as building water meters, and has reduced water consumption by nearly 90,000 gallons since 2005. Stormwater is managed on campus using retention ponds and vegetated swales.

Miami's Unplugged, Untapped, Game On! student competition encourages energy conservation, waste reduction, and water conservation in residence halls. The student organization Green Oxford works to advance sustainability on campus, and a committee within the student government is dedicated to sustainability issues.

The university operates a local transit system on and around campus, as well as a ride-matching program, and all master planning documents reflect the school's vision of a pedestrian-oriented campus.

The university makes a list of all holdings available to the general public per open records law and sends the information upon request. The university does not make its shareholder voting record public.

The university aims to optimize investment returns, and the endowment is currently invested in renewable energy funds.

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