University of Alaska–Fairbanks

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

The university has created a committee to develop sustainability strategies and is hiring a sustainability coordinator. Campus-wide policies and initiatives for facilities, food services, transportation, waste, and energy are under development.

A solar array was installed in 2007. The university uses a cogeneration power plant. Efficiency upgrades have been performed on various campus systems, including HVAC and lighting. Some labs and classrooms have motion sensors. The Save a Watt conservation campaign has placed more than 1,000 stickers in offices and classrooms to remind staff, faculty, and students to turn off lights.

The student union manages a recycling program that accepts paper, aluminum, plastic bags, printer cartridges, batteries, and packing materials. Yard waste is composted and gravel is recycled for sanding. Dining services' contract outlines requirements for the use of sustainable practices and local products when available. Dining halls are trayless and waste cooking oil is recycled for fuel. Organic waste is sent to a local farm for composting, and waste protein is given to local dog mushers.

The university intends to have new major construction projects meet LEED-certified specifications. Numerous remodeling and renovation projects incorporate green building features and energy conservation techniques suited to the subarctic climate.

The student-led Sustainable Campus Task Force hosts an annual Earth Day celebration. The Sustainable Natural Alternative Power program allows students, faculty, and staff to collaborate on alternative energy projects. Students will play a direct role in the retrofit of an aging house on campus. An inter-dorm energy competition is under development.

The university has four hybrid vehicles in its fleet, and groundskeepers use bicycles and electric carts for on-campus transportation. Members of the university community have free access to the municipal bus system, and a campus shuttle runs year round. The school participates in an online carpool matching service. Bicycle racks and lockers are available throughout campus and parking lots are situated at the campus perimeter to support a pedestrian campus.

The University of Alaska Foundation makes its endowment holdings and proxy voting records available to the public, as per open records laws.

The foundation aims to optimize investment return and does not invest in renewable energy funds or community development loan funds.

The foundation asks that its investment managers handle the details of proxy voting.