Ohio University

College Sustainability Report Card 2011

Ohio University’s master and strategic plans outline sustainability goals for the campus. The President’s Advisory Council on Sustainability Planning addresses issues such as energy, transportation, and waste reduction. The university employs a full-time sustainability director and regularly purchases Energy Star- and EPEAT-certified products.

The university plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20 percent from 2004 levels by 2014. Renewable energy is produced on campus through five solar photovoltaic arrays, a biomass furnace, and a solar hot water system. The Green House Project, which offers incentives to landlords to improve energy efficiency in off-campus student housing, has achieved annual reductions of more than 67,000 kilowatt-hours of electricity and more than 74 tons of avoided carbon emissions.

The university purchases food from local farmers and processors, and all beef, pork, and chicken served in dining halls is hormone and antibiotic free. All preconsumer, and most postconsumer, food scraps are composted, and the university recycles electronics in addition to a traditional materials. Source reduction initiatives include move-in and move-out recycling drives and a year-round materials exchange program.

All new construction projects at Ohio University must meet LEED Silver standards at a minimum and exceed energy efficiency standards by 10 percent. The university has installed water conservation technologies such as low-flow faucets and showerheads, dual-flush toilets, and greywater systems.

The winners of the annual Residence Challenge reduced electricity use by 7.3 percent and saved 161.9 tons of carbon dioxide from being emitted. The student group Greeks Going Green conducted energy and waste audits at fraternity and sorority houses. Eight eco-reps encourage green living habits, and student organizations such as the Sierra Student Coalition and the Green Network organize sustainability programming for the campus.

The Campus Area Transit System provides free bus service throughout campus for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. The university offers an online network to connect carpoolers and participates in a bike-sharing program.

The university and the Ohio University Foundation make a list of all holdings available to the public at the investment office per open records law. A list of votes cast on proxy resolutions on a company-specific level is sent to the public upon request per open records law.

The university and foundation aim to optimize investment returns, and the endowment is currently invested in community development loan funds.

The university and foundation ask that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.