Syracuse University

Chancellor Cantor signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. Faculty, staff, and students sit on the University Sustainability Action Coalition, which addresses such issues as university investments, green purchasing and recycling, food services and composting, and transportation. Four full-time employees work in the sustainability division.

The university is implementing a new energy accounting system that will provide continuous, auditable information on the university’s carbon emissions. Twenty percent of the university's energy is purchased from renewable sources, including wind and low-impact hydro.

Dining services buys produce and dairy from local vendors as well as some organic items. The university operates a weekly farmers market on campus. Dining services provides reusable take-out food and beverage containers, and preconsumer waste is composted. All kitchen fryer oil is converted to biodiesel fuel. All new dining services employees attend orientation that includes a segment on recycling, office and home sustainability measures, and information on other university sustainability initiatives.

The university has a policy that all new buildings, additions, or renovations over $10 million must pursue LEED certification. Four projects currently under construction are intended to achieve LEED Silver and Platinum ratings. The university is also working toward achieving LEED-EB certification on 16 buildings.

Students have participated in the campus carbon audit and will be invited to participate in developing the university’s plan for carbon neutrality. Syracuse has a chapter of the Student Environmental Action Coalition. The university held a residence hall energy and recycling contest in fall 2007.

The university has implemented a preferred parking program for carpoolers and will soon launch a car-sharing program. The public safety department uses bikes and hybrid vehicles to get around campus. Students ride regional transit buses for free in addition to buses that service the campus.

Information on investment holdings is available only to trustees and senior administrators. The university's shareholder voting record is available to the public through the campus sustainability committee and its website.

Through private equity partnerships, the university invests in companies that are involved in transforming solar energy to electricity, developing biofuels, using wind energy to generate electricity, and designing and selling electric sports cars.

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