Marquette University

Marquette University created a sustainability office with one full-time administrator and employs one full-time assistant in the administration office. In spring 2008, the university formed the Sustainability Task Force, with four working groups, cochaired by administrators and students, which addresses recycling, natural resources and utilities, new buildings, and suppliers and vendors.

Marquette has invested $7 million in efficiency improvements over the past few years. The university has reduced its annual energy use by the equivalent of 1,547,000 kilowatt-hours and annual energy costs by $350,000. Specific initiatives include replacing inefficient lighting, using steam heat, and increasing the efficiency of HVAC systems.

Marquette currently serves local dairy products. More organic products will be available in fall 2008. The university has a policy requiring suppliers to take back their packaging materials, thereby reducing campus waste. Dining services utilizes water-conserving machinery and eco-friendly cleaners.

The university pursues energy-efficient designs for new construction and renovations. All consulting architects for new building projects are LEED accredited. The new Discovery Learning Engineering Complex, targeted for construction by 2009, will be designed and constructed with the goal of obtaining LEED certification.

Marquette's new student orientation week will include a session designed to create awareness of the university’s sustainability efforts. Organizations include Students for an Environmentally Active Campus and Engineers Without Borders.

All undergraduates are automatically enlisted into the UPASS program, which entitles students to unlimited access to the Milwaukee County Transit System. Approximately 41 employees are currently enrolled in a similar discount program. The university encourages carpooling by allowing employees and students to share a permit between multiple vehicles.

The university makes neither its shareholder voting record nor its list of endowment holdings public. This information is only available to trustees and senior administrators.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is currently invested in renewable energy funds.

A committee of administrators and/or trustees deliberates and makes decisions on proxy votes.