Stanford University

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

The Sustainability Working Group represents a wide cross-section of academic and administrative departments. Stanford has 13 full-time employees dedicated to sustainability and has created a Department of Sustainability and Energy Management to implement presidential policies on sustainability. Ten sustainability working teams have been convened to address all the major elements of sustainability.

Stanford has completed a long-term campus greenhouse gas emissions and energy reduction model. Efficiency measures include full energy metering for all buildings, use of efficient gas-fired cogeneration for all the university's energy, and solar photovoltaic panels on a number of campus buildings, including the president's house.

Stanford serves grass-fed local beef, cage-free eggs, and milk from a local dairy. A community farm on campus encourages students and community members to learn about sustainable agriculture practices through classes and workshops. Produce from the gardens and farm is served in the dining halls and at the produce stand.

Stanford has increased its goals for energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reduction, and water conservation in its new buildings beyond existing guidelines, to a LEED Gold equivalent. The new Graduate School of Business Knight Management Center is seeking a LEED Platinum rating.

Stanford has a green fund for student sustainability grants. The Office of Sustainability and Energy Management employs student interns. E-Reps within residence halls advise students on sustainable living practices. Students for a Sustainable Stanford is a coalition of students striving to ensure the sustainability of the university.

The Transportation Demand Management Program supports alternatives to single-occupant vehicles through incentives such as free public transit and train passes for employees and students. The shuttle system on campus provides free transport throughout campus and parts of the surrounding community. The majority of students and many faculty and staff are housed on campus.

The university does not make a list of endowment holdings public. Its shareholder voting record is available to members of the university community on a password-protected website.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is invested in renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles.

All proxies are voted in-house according to investment responsibility and proxy voting guidelines that support environmental initiatives. Guidelines are updated as issues evolve based on recommendations from the Advisory Panel on Investment Responsibility and Licensing, which includes four student and two alumni representatives.