Michigan State University

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Environmental stewardship is included in Michigan State University's strategic plan. The Office of Campus Sustainability employs two full-time staff. A university-wide advisory committee contributes to sustainability planning, and an environmental systems team has made energy efficiency recommendations.

MSU has set an institutional goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 15 percent below 2005-2006 levels by 2010. HVAC hours have been reduced, resulting in 3 percent energy savings per building. A 10-kilowatt solar panel powers lighting for a student activities building, and a 40-kilowatt array powers the recycling facility.

The Farm to MSU program incorporates locally grown food from farms that use sustainable practices. One dining hall currently sources spring mix from an on-campus student organic farm. As of fall 2009, two dining halls are trayless. The MSU Surplus Store reduces waste by collecting university-owned property for redistribution or public resale.

As part of the university's Rebuild Michigan project, major renovation projects are required to comply with LEED standards. An addition to the chemistry building earned LEED Silver certification, and six other campus buildings, including an agricultural facility, meet LEED Silver standards, but are not certified.

A residential community and curriculum program engages students interested in environmental stewardship. Jobs and internships are available within the sustainability office. ECO, the student sustainability organization, focused this past year on local and state water issues. There are 13 environmental organizations on campus.

The university's fleet includes 21 hybrid, 5 electric, and 100 flex-fuel vehicles. Faculty and staff receive free bus passes for on-campus routes. There are 1,000 bikes available for rent with an hourly or annual fee through the MSU Bike Project.

The university makes a list endowment holdings available primarily to the school community, but also to the public through its website. The university makes its shareholder voting record available to the public by request, as per open record law.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds. MSU’s Common Investment Fund has a 10 percent allocation to inflation hedge assets, a portion of which is invested in renewable energy projects.

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