University of Richmond

President Ayers signed the Presidents Climate Commitment and the university is a signatory to the Talloires Declaration. Procurement has adopted green purchasing standards. The university architect is a LEED Accredited Professional and there are two full-time recycling staff members. The Environmental Awareness Group, comprised of students, faculty, and staff, addresses sustainability issues.

All campus laundry facilities have been renovated with real-time monitoring and energy-efficient, front-loading washers and dryers. Lighting and temperature controls, combined with occupancy sensors, help conserve electricity. A retrofit to the central power plant will reduce emissions by 25 percent.

Dining services sources produce from eight to ten local farms and buys milk from a local dairy cooperative. Fair trade coffee, some organic products, and free-range chicken are available, as well as a reusable mug program. The school operates a comprehensive recycling program, including batteries, lighting, and electronics.

Richmond has committed to building all new projects to meet at least LEED Silver standards. Weinstein Hall has been LEED-certified and several other construction and renovation projects will seek certification or be built following LEED standards.

The Richmond Environmental Network for Economic Willpower (RENEW) is an active student group on campus that educates students about recycling and conserving energy, and hosts tree-planting activities. Installation of a metering system to monitor dorm energy use is planned for fall 2008 to facilitate an energy conservation competition.

The university offers a free shuttle service and free bus passes for employees to use the city bus line. Parking services provides reserved spots for alternative-fuel vehicles and carpools. Some university vehicles are being retrofitted for biodiesel use. The University Forum Project has vacated a campus road and parking lot to facilitate pedestrian traffic.

The university makes a list of endowment holdings and its shareholder voting record available to all members of the school community, including faculty, staff, students, and alumni. This information is sent to individuals upon request.

The university aims to optimize investment return and is exploring, but not currently invested in, renewable energy funds or similar investment vehicles.

Generally, the university does not have the ability to vote proxies, as most of the endowment is invested in mutual funds. The university has not made any public statements about active ownership or a proxy voting policy.