Allegheny College

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

Former President Cook is a charter signatory to the Presidents Climate Commitment and is a member of its steering board. In 2000, Allegheny College adopted environmental guiding principles to direct the college's sustainability efforts. The Center for Economic and Environmental Development organizes sustainability initiatives and programs from the campus and community. The college recently hired a full-time sustainability coordinator.

As part of its commitment to climate neutrality, the college purchases 15 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and is completing a carbon emissions inventory. Allegheny recently completed an energy audit as the first phase of a comprehensive efficiency program with the Clinton Climate Initiative that will include campus-wide efficiency upgrades and retrofits.

Allegheny's dining service provider pledges that 40 percent of its food purchases are from local producers. The college hosts an annual local food banquet for the campus and local community. The college does not use any Styrofoam and all take-out containers are biodegradable. A large, on-campus facility composts food waste from one dining hall and food court, as well as landscaping waste. The college has a recycling program.

College policy requires that all new campus buildings be certified LEED Silver, and the North Village residence facility recently achieved LEED certification. Renovation projects also take into consideration energy efficiency, recycling of building materials, and the life-cycle costs of new materials. A recent partnership with the Clinton Climate Initiative will help the college retrofit older buildings with new, energy-efficient features.

The college's two environmental student organizations organize various events including film screenings and speakers. The Center for Economic and Environmental Development provides numerous internship opportunities and is developing an Eco-Reps program for fall 2008. New student orientation will include campus sustainability guides and a sustainability pledge.

A partnership between the student government and local transit authority led to the addition of a student-tailored bus route with stops throughout campus and downtown. The college has a bicycle-sharing program.

The college has no known policy of disclosure of endowment holdings or shareholder voting records.

The college aims to optimize investment return 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.