SU again receives strong marks in sustainability from Sustainable Endowments Institute

Sara Miller
(315) 443-9038

In recognition of Syracuse University’s continuing engagement with the world as a leader in promoting and practicing sustainability, the Sustainable Endowments Institute has again given the University strong marks in its 2010 College Sustainability Report Card.

According to the institute’s 2010 Report Card, SU earned an overall grade of “B”—a grade higher than last year—and received top grades in the categories of Administration, Climate Change & Energy, Transportation and Investment Priorities. In earning an “A” in each of these categories, the University is highlighted for the following:

•  Administration: for the administrative committees and dedicated Sustainability Division and staff that lead campus sustainability initiatives, as well as Syracuse University’s Flexible Work and Sustainability Initiative, which includes telecommuting and flexible work options for staff.   
• Climate Change & Energy: for the emissions inventory and Climate Action Plan SU has completed, as well as the temperature policies introduced last year, and the purchasing of 20 percent of electricity from renewable energy sources.  
• Transportation: for the six hybrid and 12 electric vehicles in the campus fleet, and the many sustainable transportation and commuting initiatives,  including SU’s Zipcar  car-sharing program.
•  Investment Priorities: for a focus on optimizing investment return and investing in renewable energy funds.

To view the complete report, visit http://www.greenreportcard.org.

Now in its fourth year, the College Sustainability Report Card covers the colleges and universities with the 300 largest endowments in the United States and Canada, as well as 32 additional higher education institutions. An institution’s overall grade is calculated from the grades received in nine equally weighted categories—administration, climate change and energy, food and recycling, green building, student involvement, transportation, endowment transparency, investment priorities and shareholder engagement—and a total of 48 indicators are used to evaluate performance within the categories.

Among some of the other New York state colleges and universities, New York University, Cornell University and Columbia University all similarly received an overall grade of “B,” while Ithaca College earned a “B+” and the University at Buffalo received a “B-.”

Among some of the Big East Conference institutions, Georgetown University and the University of Notre Dame both received “B”s and Villanova University received a “B+.”

To learn more about SU’s sustainable practices and programs, including the Climate Action Plan, visit http://greenuniversecity.syr.edu.