University of Notre Dame

College Sustainability Report Card 2009

The university administration has recently developed a sustainability vision and a set of strategic goals to guide the institution in its mission to be a sustainability leader. A sustainability office was established this year with funding for three full-time and five part-time staff.

The university has invested $4 million in energy efficiency projects in 25 campus buildings, which has eliminated more than 10,000 tons from Notre Dame's carbon footprint. A 50-kilowatt solar panel array is being built on the Stinson-Remick Engineering Building to partially offset the building's energy needs.

Food services purchases from a total of 65 local farms and producers. Purchases of locally sourced products make up more than 10 percent of the university's total annual food budget. At the end of the school year, students donate unwanted items to an annual sale called From Old 2 Gold; profits are given to local charities.

Notre Dame is developing an energy efficiency design standard to take advantage of daylight harvesting, lumen maintenance, and other efficiency measures and technologies. Four new buildings, currently under construction, are seeking LEED Silver status.

In fall 2008, orientation counselors will educate new students about recycling and energy conservation. The student group coalition, GREEND, will work with the sustainability office to support student efforts with sustainability projects.

The university has partnered with the South Bend Public Transportation Corporation to offer free transportation on all municipal bus routes for all students, faculty, staff, and spouses. The university fleet includes five hybrid vehicles.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings and its shareholder voting record available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community. This information is available at the investment office.

The university aims to optimize investment return, and is currently invested in clean technology ventures and public equities in alternative energy companies. The main endowment pool considers environmental and sustainability factors, but there is no separate pool specifically for these factors. The university is also exploring, but not currently invested in, community development loan funds.

The investment committee of the board of trustees makes decisions makes decisions on proxy votes.