University of Vermont

College Sustainability Report Card 2010

Environmental stewardship is one of the core missions of the university and is included in UVM’s strategic and master plans. Three staff work in the Office of Sustainability. The Environmental Forum, UVM's long-standing environmental council, also works to advance sustainability on campus. The university purchases exclusively Energy Star appliances and uses only Green Seal-certified cleaning products and organic pesticides.

UVM has conducted greenhouse gas emissions inventories every year since 1990. The university purchases electricity through a municipality that plans to be 100 percent renewable by 2012. Energy efficiency has been increased through lighting retrofits, systems upgrades, and temperature setbacks.

The university sources local food items from 60 different distributors, and purchases hormone- and antibiotic-free dairy, cage-free eggs, free-range poultry, and seafood according to sustainability guidelines. All dining locations are trayless and compost food waste.

The university is committed to building all new construction projects to LEED standards, and there are currently five LEED-certified buildings on campus. Some plumbing fixtures on campus have been upgraded to low-flow models. Vending misers and energy-efficient laundry units have also been installed.

Each semester, 250 students have the opportunity to live in the GreenHouse, UVM’s environmental, sustainability-themed house. Zero-waste events at orientation educate new students about the campus's sustainability efforts. Three student interns are employed to work on sustainability initiatives, and 35 students are employed through the Eco-Reps program on campus.

All members of the campus community use local public transportation free of charge. Financial incentives are offered for carpooling, and a car-sharing program is available on campus. UVM also runs a shuttle on and around campus. The university fleet includes three hybrid cars and nine electric vehicles.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings and its proxy voting record available to the public as per open record law. A list of endowment holdings and proxy voting records are sent to individuals upon request.

The Socially Responsible Work Group has been an engaged in an ongoing discussion of how to approach investment in renewable energy and climate change funds. In addition, the investment subcommittee of the board of trustees is exploring community-based investment.

An advisory committee with two administrators, two faculty members, two staff members, and four students makes proxy voting recommendations to the board of trustees.