Occidental College

The Occidental College Sustainability Group will launch in fall 2008 as a committee of senior administrators, faculty, and students reporting directly to the president on sustainability issues and priorities. Three staff members are assigned to work part-time on sustainability measures in the facilities, hospitality services, and recycling departments.

The college launched a retrofitting program that will replace old lighting in all campus buildings with new, energy-efficient fixtures. The program will pay for itself in less than one year, with a projected energy savings of $126,000 per year.

Approximately 5 percent of annual food purchases are sourced from local farms and producers. The college contracts for milk products with a local dairy and serves some organic foods. Discounts are offered with a reusable beverage container.

Occidental’s newest residence hall was built to LEED Silver standards, but the college has not sought certification. The 2008 renovation of three existing residence halls incorporated green techniques, such as reusing roof tiles and wooden floors, reconditioning windows, and utilizing materials with high recycled content and Forest Stewardship Council-certified lumber.

The Renewable Energy & Sustainability Fund, which is paid for by a voluntary student fee, funds campus greening projects. The fund is supervised by a committee of ten students and two staff members. The student organization Environmental Action Coalition works to empower students to take action on sustainability issues.

Occidental is currently evaluating the feasibility of providing van rides for students, faculty, and staff to the local light rail station for commuting and outings. The proposed campus master plan calls for removing roadways and parking in the interior of campus, replacing them with pedestrian walkways and open space, increasing bicycle parking spaces and providing showers and lockers for riders.

The college makes a list of endowment holdings available to trustees, senior administrators, and other select members of the school community. The college does not make its shareholder voting record publicly accessible.

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

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