Pomona College

President Oxtoby signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. A $15,000 sustainability fund finances student initiatives. The purchasing department has committed to buying from environmentally responsible vendors. A full-time sustainability coordinator was recently hired, and a comprehensive advisory committee of faculty, staff, and students develops sustainability strategies and submits an annual report.

The college has committed to reducing its emissions in its statement of environmental policy and has hired professionals to complete a sustainability audit. Occupancy sensors, sleep settings for all computers, daylighting design, and a 2.5-kilowatt solar panel array reduce demand for energy. Pomona’s power utility includes 16 percent renewable sources in its energy portfolio.

Dining services purchases produce from 25 local farms and offers fair trade coffee and some organic foods. The college has an extensive recycling program and composts food and landscaping waste to create mulch for the 2.5-acre organic farm on campus. Dining services provides biodegradable utensils and paper to-go boxes.

Pomona's sustainable building policy, which applies to new construction and renovations, uses LEED ratings as a standard of reference. One academic building has been awarded LEED Silver certification and two others have achieved LEED Gold certification. Two new residential buildings in the planning stages will strive for LEED Gold certification.

Sustainability will be integrated into orientation through videos, information sheets, and presentations. A student environmental affairs commissioner promotes sustainability on campus. Students are represented on the president’s advisory committee and may join several environmental awareness groups on campus.

The Green Bikes program allows students to borrow used bikes and receive free repairs, and folding bikes are available for rent for use in internships and other travel. Students may receive a discounted Metrolink pass. Pomona aims to increase the proportion of low-emission vehicles in the college's fleet. A rideshare program pays employees to carpool and covers some public transportation costs.

Information on endowment holdings and proxy voting records is available only to trustees and senior administrators.

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

A committee composed of three students, three faculty members, and two staff advises the proxy subcommittee of the board of trustees on votes involving social issues.