University of Memphis

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

President Raines signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. The University of Memphis has launched its Green Campus Initiative, which offers sustainability education and online resources to faculty, staff, and students.

In 2008, the university completed a carbon emissions inventory. A student-initiated sustainability fee is used to purchase renewable energy. The university also has implemented efficiency projects such as installing Energy Star appliances, efficient lighting fixtures, and new heating and cooling systems.

Dining services offers a discount for beverages purchased with reusable containers. All dairy products are sourced from a local provider, and fair trade coffee is available on campus. In summer 2008, the university cohosted a statewide, e-waste recycling event that recycled almost one million pounds of electronic waste. In addition to traditional materials, the university collects scrap metal, ballasts, and fluorescent tubes for recycling.

There are plans for a LEED-certified Center for Sustainable Design. The university has recently broken ground on a living-learning residence complex designed to meet LEED Silver standards.

The university works with the student Environmental Action Club in developing and marketing student-led sustainability programs. The university provides information about sustainability issues as part of new student orientation.

The university utilizes electric carts and Segways to perform some campus operations. Effective in fall 2008, service vehicles will begin using biodiesel fuel produced from waste cooking oil from campus dining services. The addition of multiple pedestrian malls has made the campus more pedestrian friendly.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings available to the public by request, as per open records laws.

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

The university does not have the ability to vote proxies, as the entire endowment is invested in mutual funds.