Investment & Finance
Introduction
Collectively, colleges and universities invest hundreds of billions of dollars. Like other decisions that institutions make, these investments have impacts that are both local and global in scope. Institutions with transparent and democratic investment processes promote accountability and engagement by the campus and community. By using the tools of sustainable investing, institutions can improve the long-term health of their endowments, encourage better corporate behavior, support innovation in sustainable products and services, support sustainability in their community, and help build a more just and sustainable financial system.
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Green Funds at Community Colleges: Unique Approaches to Engaging Students
- College of Lake County (IL)
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
Connecting students to a community college's sustainability efforts presents distinct challenges. Community colleges strive for a standard of quality education that is affordable and accessible to all types of students. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Costs and Performance of LEED Platinum Buildings
- California Institute of Technology (CA)
- Davis Langdon, An AECOM Company (CA)
Most owners or facility managers would entertain the idea of achieving LEED platinum certification for their next project. There are two basic questions they have when asked to incorporate a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Changing the Campus Dynamic: The student creation and administration of the Sustainability Initiatives Fund at Johnson County Community College
- Johnson County Community College (KS)
In fall 2009, a small cohort of Honors students at Johnson County Community College took it upon themselves to campaign across campus, petitioning their peers, appealing to the President, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Change at UAF: Initiated and Managed by Students
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
What's better than having a $20 student sustainability fee? Having those monies managed by students! Come hear about how the Review of Infrastructure, Sustainability and Energy (RISE) Board operates, accepts …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fundraising for Sustainability - how to raise money (or get someone to do it for you)
- University of Michigan (MI)
In tough economic times, funding can be scarce or unavailable all together. Sustainability officers have traditionally sought funding in the form of special allocations, student green fees, grants, revolving loan …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Diversifying the Budgetary Resources for Your Campus' Sustainability Program
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Where does the budget for your campus Sustainability Programs come from? On most campuses, these Offices and Efforts are funded by a department or solely with savings. Learn how to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bringing Your Green Fund to the Next Level: Creating Tomorrow's Leaders Through Student-Driven Internal Growth and Leadership Development
- University of California, Santa Barbara (CA)
Campus Green Funds are a necessary component for any college campus striving towards sustainability goals, though few realize its full potential. Since its inception in 1999, the student organization, Associated …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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University Green Fund: Mobilizing the University Community Towards Sustainability
- University of Northern British Columbia (BC)
In the two years since its creation, the UNBC Green Fund has proven to be successful at mobilizing different university groups into action. The University of Northern British Columbia Green …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Squeezing Water Out of Rocks: Two Years of the Sustainability Fee at Western Michigan University
- Western Michigan University (MI)
On April 15, 2010 our Board of Trustees approved a student initiated Sustainability Fee. Fourteen-thousand square feet of student gardens, ten-thousand travel mugs, hundreds of worms, fifty internships, sixteen grant …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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From Coal to Clean Energy: Divest for A Clean Energy Future
- Responsible Endowments Coalition (PA)
The urgency and intensity of the climate crisis is escalating, and policy mechanisms are failing. Young people across the nation will be facing the consequences of environmental crises that they …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Solar Photovoltaic Installations On Campus: A Comparative Overview With Case Studies
- AASHE (MA)
A representative series of comprehensive case studies for solar photovoltaic installations at institutions of higher education in the United States.
This presentation will highlight a range of solar installations on …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Student-Led Sustainability Fund at The University of British Columbia
- University of British Columbia (BC)
Through holding a referendum in March 2011, students have established a fund for the selection of sustainability projects. A sustainability fund marketing launch plan has been developed by partnering with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Billion Dollar Green Challenge: How Campus Green Revolving Funds are Saving Energy and Money (2011)
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
Facing burdensome budget cuts and unstable energy costs, many colleges are grappling with how to finance urgently needed, but capital-intensive, energy efficiency retrofits. In response to this need, the panel …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Creating an Energy Management Program from Limited Resources, Expertise and Funding
- Meredith College (NC)
This session will examine methods to establish an energy management program at a small college. Using a women's college in Raleigh, North Carolina as a case study, the presentation will …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Innovative Investment Models for Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
- Drexel University (PA)
- Blue Hill Partners (PA)
Innovative business models and financing solutions are required to drive the next level of efficiency and sustainability on campus. Blue Hill Partners, a Philadelphia based firm, has teamed with the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Designing and implementing a robust and sustainable student green fund: Recommendations from Sustainability Officers
- University of Vermont (VT)
College campuses across the U.S. and abroad have seen a growth of student campaigns to take institutional action on climate change. One of the barriers to implementing sustainability initiatives on-campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Finding Funding Resources in Sustainability
- Ball State University (IN)
Many colleges and universities find creating a strong research agenda utilizing external funding in areas of sustainability a difficult challenge. This briefing will review trends in sustainability funding at the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Analysis of Successes, Failures, and Characteristics of an Established Campus Sustainability Granting Program
- New York University (NY)
In 2011, our university conducted the first full operational analysis of its campus sustainability granting program, one of the most established such programs in the nation. Our program offers grants …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Competitive Campus Greening Funds: An evaluation of successes and challenges for an emerging sustainability strategy
- New York University (NY)
This briefing will share the major findings of a nation-wide survey of campus greening grant programs in the United States. A selection of thirteen established university programs that provide grants …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Development and Implementation of the Calvin Energy Recovery Fund
- Calvin University (MI)
Typically, the first and least expensive recommended step in addressing climate change and peak energy concerns at an institutional level is improved energy efficiency. Yet, few organizations move forward with …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Investment Engagement on Campus
- Responsible Endowments Coalition (PA)
The panel will examine: 1) the case for encouraging schools to take action on issues affecting companies in which their endowments own stock, 2) the range of additional options schools …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Developing a Large-Scale Solar Project on Campus
- AMSOLAR International (CA)
A large private university entered into a 25-year Power Purchase Agreement in 2010 with a solar development company focused on the education sector. The project was completed in fall 2010 …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Partnerships Achieving Breakthrough Energy and Greenhouse Performance Utilizing Innovative Investment Strategies
- Drexel University (PA)
Innovative business models and financing solutions are required to drive the next level of efficiency and sustainability on campus. Blue Hill Partners, a Philadelphia based firm, has teamed with the …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Successes and Challenges of MIT's Utility Partnership for Energy Efficiency
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MA)
In May 2010, MIT established MIT Efficiency Forward: a ground breaking, multi-million dollar collaborative energy conservation and efficiency program with our electric and gas utility company NSTAR. The program is …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Solar Tax Shelters: Roofs for Not For Profits
- Stone House Group (PA)
In Summer 2011, a Central Pennsylvania College will begin construction on a roof replacement for their Sports and Recreation Center. Having reached the end of its life, the existing EPDM …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Turnkey: Creating a Green Fund
- Texas A&M University (TX)
Student-led green funds are on the rise at institutions across the nation. There are many green fund models to study and select a best fit for creating your campus green/environmental …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Students Take the Lead for Innovative Sustainability Programs at America's most Northern University
- University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)
The students of University of Alaska Fairbanks, in 2009 voted a $20 dollar sustainability fee, which is matched by the Chancellor and anticipated to raise $5,000,000 over its 10-year initiative. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student-Fee Supported Campus Green Funds
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
This session will provide a background on student-fee supported campus green funds, then dive into methods for running a campus campaign, followed by examples for how to run a campus …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Crisis Into Opportunity: Can sustainability programs and budget cuts be mutually supportive?
- University of California, Office of the President (CA)
When budget cuts are a university's priority in a time of fiscal crisis, how can sustainability programs turn that crisis into an opportunity? Doing so not only is necessary for …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Establishing a Fund for Implementing a Climate Action Plan at the University of New Hampshire
- University of New Hampshire (NH)
This presentation discusses the establishment of a revolving fund using an initial investment to implement a portfolio of projects yielding energy savings that will then fund future projects directly tied …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Funds: Expanding the Students' Role in Shaping More Sustainable Universities
- University of Pittsburgh (PA)
Universities must consider all facets of the institution in their quest to promote and incorporate sustainability. Co-curricular programs, such as Green Funds, can complement sustainability education in the academic curriculum …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Investing in a Sustainable Future
- University of Virginia (VA)
This presentation illustrates one approach to teaching sustainability in business schools by describing the rationale and structure used to develop and deliver our course, "Investing in a Sustainable Future," a …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Allocating a Student Green Fund - First year experience
- University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (WI)
This informational presentation will provide an overview and go into detail about our first year of experience with our University's student green fund. The presentation will cover the structure, and …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Green Fee Management and Project Implementation
- Carnegie Mellon University (PA)
- Green Mountain College (VT)
- University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign (IL)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- University of Vermont (VT)
Carnegie Mellon University has instituted environmental education across its curriculum over the past five years. The latest course addition, "The Environment Today," was spearheaded by student organizations at Carnegie Mellon. …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Billion-Dollar Challenge: Innovative Endowment Investing in Energy Efficiency
- Sustainable Endowments Institute (MA)
- Clean Air-Cool Planet (NH)
- GreenerU (MA)
Facing burdensome budget cuts and unstable energy costs, many colleges are grappling with how to finance urgently needed, but capital-intensive, energy efficiency retrofits. In response to this need, the panel …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Financing Renewable Energy Installations on University and College Campuses
- Eastern Connecticut State University (CT)
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (NC)
- University of Minnesota, Morris (MN)
- University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh (WI)
When you evaluate the plans filed with ACUPCC for achieving Zero-Carbon by 2050, virtually every plan dependents on the installation and operation of on-site renewable energy. With today's difficult economic …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Fee: Three ideas to spur campus sustainability
- Bemidji State University (MN)
A student Green Fee was inititiated in the Fall of 2008 at Bemidji State University. This session will describe Green Fee Mini-Grants, Sustainability Employment, and an off-the-grid bus stop shelter …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UNCP Initiative - Performance Contracting as a Catalyst for Sustainability
- University of North Carolina, Pembroke (NC)
- Siemens Industry, Inc. (IL)
- Celtic Energy, Inc. (CT)
Higher Education Institutions have increasingly used Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) as a tool to implement energy saving measures and infrastructure improvements in facilities. The continued erosion of State funding, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Facing the Inevitable---Integrated Financial + Sustainability/CSR Reporting for Business
- Interfaith Center on Corporate Responsibility (NY)
- Ceres (MA)
In the wake of the financial meltdown, stakeholder groups around the globe are pressing for mandatory integrated reporting that incorporates environmental, social and governance issues into financial reporting. New requirements …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Going Green Can Benefit Your Campus Educationally and Fiscally
- Macalester College (MN)
- Trane (TX)
Going green can be good for you. A successful campus-wide sustainability effort can serve an institution both educationally and fiscally. As part of a campus-wide sustainability plan to become zero …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Student Sustainability Fees: What Do We Do When They Pass?
- Western Michigan University (MI)
In our March 2010 student government elections, after a wide-reaching and creative campaign, Western Michigan University (WMU) students voted to support a fee to finance campus sustainability initiatives. In April, …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Building a catalyzing collaborative funding process: McGill's transferable lessons
- McGill University (QC)
Funding is a consistent limit to action toward sustainability in higher education. Last year, students at McGill University took the lead on actualizing the latent potential on campus by establishing …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Implementing a Local Food Fundraiser on your Campus
- University of Missouri (MO)
This session will provide tools to plan and measure the success of a campus-wide fundraiser. The Local Food for Local People food drive has successfully raised over $1,000 in each …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Student Green Fee: Lessons Learned from the First Year
- Bowling Green State University (OH)
The number of universities with some form of "Student Green Fee" are increasing each year. Bowling Green State University joined the ranks of these institutions and just completed its first …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UCF, an In-House Energy Service Group that Saves Millions
- University of Central Florida (FL)
The University of Central Florida (UCF) surpassed its goal and decreased its energy consumption by 25 percent per square foot in fiscal year 2008-2009. This saved the university close to …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Ithaca College's New Commit-to-Change Initiative
- Ithaca College (NY)
Ithaca College's leadership in environmental and sustainability education and operations just got a significant boost with the assistance of a three-year, $500,000 grant from the HSBC in the Community (USA) …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Investment Opportunities
- College of William & Mary (VA)
- Responsible Endowments Coalition (PA)
- RiskMetrics Group (NY)
- Mercer Investment Consulting (MD)
In the two decades since the South Africa divestment movement engulfed campuses in a debate over what constituted defensible engagement under apartheid, responsible investing has come of age. Mainstream Wall …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
- Conference Presentations
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Sustainable Capital: Creating a Campus Sustainability Revolving Loan Fund
- Roanoke College (VA)
One of the major obstacles to making campuses sustainable is high initial costs, which render financing sustainability measures difficult despite the long-term cost savings many projects reap. On several campuses …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Fossil Free Finances: Divestment and College Endowments
- College of Saint Benedict (MN)
My poster is a summary of the following abstract from a paper titled “Fossil Free Finances: Divestment and College Endowments.” This paper explores the effect colleges and universities have on …
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Investment Professional Certificate
- Concordia University (IL)
The SIPC program was created by the John Molson School of Business in cooperation with the Finance and Sustainability Initiative (FSI) Montreal in response to the growing interest in sustainable …
- Posted Feb. 25, 2016
- Academic Programs
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community.
All responses reference content from reports under the latest version of STARS, version 2.2. AASHE membership and log-in is required.
PA 9: Committee on Investor Responsibility
- Description of the committee for investor responsibility (CIR)
- Examples of CIR actions during the previous 3 years
- Website URL - Committee for investor responsibility
PA 10: Sustainable Investment
- Percent of the institution's investment pool in positive sustainability investments
- Sustainability investment policy (upload)
- Sustainability investment policy (description)
- Description of public divestment effort or negative screens
- Website URL - Sustainable investment
PA 11: Investment Disclosure
Additional analysis on scores and quantitative fields can be conducted using the STARS Benchmarking Tool.