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Smith Gets High Marks on Sustainability

Smith College was recently recognized as one of North America's leading
colleges in the area of sustainability, earning one of the few top grades on
a report card released by a non-profit research organization.

The Sustainable Endowments Institute graded 100 colleges by looking at campus greening practices and endowment policies. While more than half of the schools received an overall grade of "C," Smith earned a "B." Just four schools studied received a higher grade of "A-," the highest grade awarded.

Among the factors considered by the Massachusetts-based Sustainable Endowments Institute were an administration's commitment to sustainability; sustainability programs related to food and recycling, green buildings, climate change, and energy; and a number of measures related to endowments.
Those include whether students, faculty members, and alumnae help governing
boards decide how to vote on shareholder proxies related to sustainability
efforts at various corporations that the endowment invests in.

"When it comes to sustainability," said Mark Orlowski, executive director of
the Sustainable Endowments Institute, "the key questions about these
institutions are: How do sustainability factors shape the way they use their
resources? How can schools learn from each other and adapt sustainability
policies that work?"

In the specific categories, Smith received an "A" in administration, climate change & energy, and shareholder engagement, a "B" in food & recycling and green building, and lower grades in other categories.

The work of the Institute is guided by an 11-member Board of Advisors that
includes student leaders, the founder of Institutional Shareholder Services,
the president of a leading financial services research organization, heads
of college and university institutes in economics, education and corporate
ethics as well as former college and foundation presidents, a college
treasurer and university trustee.

To check out Smith's report card, click here then click on Smith College.

1/25/07   By Kristen Cole
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