Boston College

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

Boston College created a sustainability committee that developed principles to guide the College through its Master Plan. A utilities manager handles conservation efforts on campus and a sustainability professional position is under review. Boston College's strongest effort towards sustainability comes from its leading position in Project XL, a group of three colleges and universities working to improve laboratory waste management practices in order to conduct research in a more sustainable manner. Boston College is a member of the Campus Consortium for Environmental Excellence, which works on sustainability in higher education. In addition, the College has recently increased its purchase of renewable energy credits threefold from the previous year.

The College has made conservation efforts, both on the facilities side, with the advancement of projects addressing lighting and HVAC equipment, and through student awareness efforts and conservation competitions, which have helped to save the College approximately $1 million a year. Since January 1, 2007, the College's electrical portfolio includes 27 percent renewable energy, up from 9 percent in 2006 and 8 percent in 2005.

The College is working to develop relationships with local growers, manufacturers, and vendors who promote sustainable agricultural practices, and food distributors who can trace their products to responsible sources. The College has taken steps to provide local products in certain instances, such as hormone-free milk and organic, fair-trade coffee.

Boston College incorporates some LEED features in building design, such as with the recent renovated 66 Commonwealth Avenue residence hall. The College also recently set contractual limits in its construction waste management that follow LEED requirements.

The College has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or its shareholder voting record.

The College prioritizes investing to maximize profit and has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The College has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.