Timeline of Actions

2007: Signed American College and University Presidents Climate Commitment

  • LEED Silver or higher for new buildings
  • Energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy
  • Encourage use of public transportation, including with monetary incentives
  • Begin purchasing or produce at least 15 percent of electricity consumption from renewable sources

2010: Climate Action Plan

  • Set carbon neutrality date of 2050
  • Reduce emissions 20% compared to 2008 by 2020; 50% by 2035

2012+: Master Plan

  • Eliminated six inefficient chillers, tied into new chiller plant
  • Eliminated Mid Quad chillers, tied into second new chiller plant that will also serve Roberts Pavilion
  • Retrofitted interior and exterior fluorescent and halogen lights to LED
  • Eliminated use of dining trays and began offering reusable, to-go containers
  • Installed food decomposers
  • Converted campus irrigation system to central programming tied to weather station
  • Installed sub-metering monitors in 18 highest energy-use buildings with remote monitoring
  • Converted more than five acres of turf to drought-tolerant landscaping/xeriscaping
  • Constructed bioswales,landscape elements designed to remove silt and pollution from surface runoff water
  • Converted to low-flow shower heads and toilets
  • Added hydration stations
  • Began donating all unwanted items at the end of the year to the Institution Recycling Network