Bucknell University

President Mitchell signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and, in September 2007, the university initiated a comprehensive campus sustainability study. The Bucknell University Environmental Center is both an academic unit and an advocacy center for campus sustainability policy, and initiatives are executed through its subgroup, the Campus Greening Initiative. The Campus Greening Council provides policy recommendations to the administration.

As part of its commitment to climate neutrality, the university has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions to 45 percent below 1990 levels. A natural gas-fired cogeneration plant provides 95 percent of the campus's electricity and the remaining 5 percent is purchased from wind power. Three photovoltaic arrays have been installed to help power the Bucknell University Environmental Center and a modular student housing unit.

Dining services works with ten local suppliers and is committed to purchasing 20 percent of its food supply from local sources. The university serves fair trade coffee and has direct relationships with two plantations in Central America. Both reusable and biodegradable containers are available to take food to go. A joint venture with the engineering program is developing a biodigester that will provide methane for use in the Bostwick Dining Hall stove.

The university considers LEED specifications for new construction projects. Energy efficiency upgrades are routinely performed, and Bucknell has maintained constant energy use over the past ten years, despite growth.

The Bucknell University Environmental Center has paid interns and organizes student research projects. The Environmental Club runs a printer cartridge recycling program, along with hosting an annual Earth Week. The university also has an Environmental Residential College, which allows its students to explore sustainability via an innovative mix of common courses, extra class trips and activities, special retreats, and seminars.

Bucknell is moving parking lots to the edge of campus to increase green space and pedestrian traffic. Bike- and car-sharing programs are under development. The campus fleet has one hybrid vehicle.

The university makes information on endowment holdings and shareholder voting records available only to trustees and senior administrators.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds and community development loans.

Most of the endowment is in mutual funds or other commingled investment vehicles. For separately managed accounts, the university asks its investment managers to handle the details of proxy voting.