Northwestern University

College Sustainability Report Card 2007

Northwestern has a comprehensive sustainability policy and has made significant strides towards a sustainable future. The University has done this through renewable energy purchases, a LEED building policy, an Energy Star program and other efforts. However, it has neither a sustainability coordinator nor an advisory council to handle recommendations for future efforts.

The University made headlines on Earth Day when it became one of the largest purchasers of renewable energy credits in higher education, committing to 40 megawatts, or 20 percent of its electricity usage, of wind power. A cogeneration plant in Chicago supplies 85 percent of the school's energy needs and the University has launched a feasibility study of building an additional plant in Evanston. A comprehensive Energy Star plan covers equipment purchases and a professional illumination consultant was hired to evaluate the potential for de-lamping on campus and switching older, inefficient bulbs to more efficient models.

The University has a recycling effort in progress that is working towards offering recycling to students in off-campus housing. Research has suggested that the University could recycle up to 60 percent of its waste stream through increased effort. However, beyond offering fair-trade, organic coffee, there is little activity in dining services towards sustainable practices.

The University strives to make all new buildings LEED Silver-certified, a goal which was achieved on the first building constructed under the new policy, and major renovations will also follow LEED guidelines whenever possible. Both new and renovated buildings will achieve at minimum 20 percent improved energy efficiency over the building code when feasible. Additionally, all University equipment purchases will be Energy Star rated.

The University has made no public statements about making endowment holdings or shareholder voting records available. Therefore, there is no known ability to access this information.

Northwestern has committed $2 million of its endowment to a firm that invests in companies producing alternative energy technologies or providing services and products related to those technologies. The University has not made any public statements about investigating or investing in community development loan funds.

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