Tulane University

President Cowen signed the Presidents Climate Commitment. Full-time staff dedicated to campus sustainability include an environmental coordinator, a recycling manager, two recycling couriers, and a project manager who is also a LEED specialist. A university-wide climate commitment advisory committee has been appointed and includes student representatives.

In December 2007, Tulane completed a suite of energy efficiency improvement projects on the uptown campus that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 10 percent. Improvements include lighting retrofits, upgrades to the campus steam system, and the installation of an energy-efficient chiller.

Traditional items and computers can be recycled on campus, and items may be donated during dorm move-out times. The university sources food items from a local farm and dairy. Fair trade, organic coffee is served in some campus locations and reusable mugs may be used to purchase discounted fountain and coffee beverages. Trays and Styrofoam products have been largely eliminated.

The Tulane community is involved in several projects that incorporate sustainable design into the rebuilding and redevelopment of New Orleans neighborhoods. Tulane currently has three different types of LEED green building projects underway, one of which will be carbon neutral, using solar power for 100 percent of its energy needs.

Tulane instituted a public service graduation requirement, with many opportunities focusing on sustainable rebuilding and environmental issues. Students are employed at the environmental affairs office to work on numerous campus initiatives. The Green Club organizes environmental services projects. Tulane hosted the first Clinton Global Initiative University, an event that drew 700 students to discuss energy and climate change, among other issues.

Tulane is working to remove parking and traffic from the center of campus in order to encourage pedestrian and bicycle travel and improve access to public transportation. Shuttle service is offered to help students and employees travel without a car. Last year, a student club and the environmental affairs office held a used bike sale and offered free bike repairs and repair instruction every Sunday.

A list of the university's endowment holdings and managers are made available to trustees, senior administrators, and select members of the school community. The holdings and managers are monitored within the investment management office.

Tulane aims to optimize investment returns on a portfolio basis and is also exploring renewable energy and LEED-oriented real estate investment funds.

The university has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.