Albion College

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Randall signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and Albion is in the beginning phase of developing a sustainability strategic plan. The Sustainability Council is composed of faculty and students and advises the administration. The college's equestrian program has made a priority of improving its environmental impact, particularly with regard to soil and water quality. The school maintains a modest sustainability website.

Recent efficiency upgrades include the installation of building automation systems and high-efficiency boilers. The college has some small solar arrays and wind turbines and participated in Step It Up and Focus the Nation.

Most campus buildings and residence halls participate in the school's recycling program, which accepts cardboard, paper, plastic, and glass. Dining services serves organic coffee, does not use Styrofoam, and recycles cardboard, aluminum, and cooking oil.

The college's new science complex achieved LEED Silver certification, and renovations to Olin Hall incorporated similar green building techniques.

Incoming students are required to take First Year Seminars, many of which have environmental themes. The Institute for the Study of the Environment's E-House is a sustainable living-learning center for residents, and serves as a best-practices example for the college and local community. Students live in the house for a full academic year and participate in a sustainability seminar. The Ecological Awareness Club organizes educational events and volunteer opportunities for the college, including a campus-wide sustainability fair.

The college has one electric service vehicle and a biodiesel tractor as part of its fleet, and the science complex has refueling stations for alternative-fuel vehicles. The campus safety department provides a weekly shuttle from campus to retail establishments in the local town. Parking lots have reserved spaces for carpools.

The college makes neither its proxy voting record nor its list of endowment holdings public.

The college aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but is not currently invested in, renewable energy funds and community development loan funds.

Most of the college's endowment is invested in mutual funds. A member of the college administration determines proxy votes for separately managed accounts.