1. Establish a policy that all new campus construction will be built to at least the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED Silver standard or equivalent.

Yes: Per State of Virginia Executive Order 48 (now Executive Order 82), all state-owned facilities over 5,000 gross SF in size to be designed and constructed consistent with the energy performance standards at least as stringent as the US Green Building Councils LEED rating system.

If the projected energy savings over a 15-year period can pay for the additional cost of installing a photovoltaic or green roof system in any roof renovation for buildings over 5,000 gross SF, then the Department of General services shall require that any roof replacement design address that option. Agencies and institutions shall incorporate the option if it meets the 15-year payback limit for that replacement.

VCU has committed to design all new construction and major renovations over 5,000 gross SF to meet LEED Silver specifications.

All projects over $1 million in construction value will be commissioned if LEED is not applicable, if the project complexity warrants and it is under $1 million the project will also be commissioned.

VCU Facilities Management Division has completed VCU Facility Design Standards to be used by the architects and engineers that design new VCU facilities as well as renovations of existing VCU facilities. The Standards go beyond simply stating that LEED Silver is the required minimum design standard but gives examples of preferred VCU sustainable design solutions.

The Walter L. Rice Educational Building was certified as the first LEED Platinum building in the Commonwealth of Virginia on March 27, 2009. The new Medical Sciences Building, two new recreational centers, the School of Dentistry addition, and the School of Engineering’s new Health and Life Sciences laboratory will be built to at least LEED Silver specifications.

2. Adopt an energy-efficient appliance purchasing policy requiring purchase of ENERGY STAR certified products in all areas for which such ratings exist.

Yes: Per State of Virginia Executive Order 48 (now Executive Order 82), Commonwealth agencies and institutions shall purchase or lease Energy Star rated appliances and equipment for all classifications for which an Energy Star designation is available.

All new copiers, faxes and other such office equipment purchased or leased by the Commonwealth that uses paper shall be recycled paper-compatible.

The Commonwealth shall purchase only recycled paper except where equipment limitations preclude the use of recycled paper.

3. Establish a policy of offsetting all greenhouse gas emissions generated by air travel paid for by our institution.

No: VCU Sustainability Committee to include consideration of the preceding in the drafting of the VCU Climate Action Plan.

4. Encourage use of and provide access to public transportation for all faculty, staff, students and visitors at our institution.

Yes: VCU operates inter and intra-campus shuttles that are free to students, faculty and staff, hours have been expanded and frequencies increased to encourage use and minimize personal car travel between campuses. VCU partners with the the local transit provider (Greater Richmond Transit Authority) to offer discounted passes to students to encourage the use of public transportation.

VCU offers a pre-tax employee transit program with consideration of a fully-funded program in the near future.

VCU requested the local transit provider to utilize alternative fuel vehicles on campus routes if they acquire such equipment and to create an express route stop on each campus.

Dining contractor acquired a 15-passenger van to provide transit services to employees working after the public transit program stopped service for the night.

5. Within one year of signing this document, begin purchasing or producing at least 15% of our institution's electricity consumption from renewable sources.

No: VCU has had discussions with local power provider (Virginia Dominion Power) and the purchase of renewable sources of electricity (for example wind generated electrical power) is not currently available.

6. Establish a policy or a committee that supports climate and sustainability shareholder proposals at companies where our institution's endowment is invested.

No: It has been recommended to appropriate university departments managing endowments to have discussions with other universities, colleges and investment firms on their policies.

7. Participate in the Waste Minimization component of the national RecycleMania competition, and adopt 3 or more associated measures to reduce waste.

Yes: VCU participated in RecycleMania 2008 for the first time and participated for a second time in 2009.

VCU Recycling currently recycles 30% of the VCU waste stream (approx. 1,100 tons annually). New processes and techniques are being employed to increase the rate to 35%, such as using VCU custodial staff to remove office materials, cans, bottles, etc. to points outside the building to be picked up by VCU Recycling staff.

VCU placed outdoor recycling stations in high traffic areas on campus at the end of August 2008 and continues to add more stations. VCU has never had outdoor recycling stations in its program.

VCU purchased two solar trash compactor for high traffic areas on campus that were installed at the end of August 2008. A photovoltaic solar powered trash compactor was installed at the VCU Siegel Center in the Fall of 2008 and one at Shafer Dining Court in 2009.

VCU purchased two electric trucks to be used by the VCU Grounds Department to pick up trash and recycling containers.

In FY2007 VCU entered into a third-party contract for secure document destruction to securely divert sensitive and confidential paper material from the VCU waste stream.

VCU Recycling was relocated to a new building in May 2008, tripling their covered space and providing them with over an acre of outside storage space both of which helps make the program more efficient and effective.

VCU has operated a campus surplus material program/department for over two decades. The additional space in the new building has allowed VCU Recycling to stock and display its surplus material as a retail store would primarily to encourage reuse of surplus office equipment and furniture.

VCU has begun discussions with its campus food service provider, Aramark, to initiate a program to compost dining hall food scraps and other surplus food.

Faculty, staff and/or students can contact VCU Recycling via e-mail and its web page to report wasteful practices or offer suggestions.

A composting program involving all post-consumer waste from the main dining facility will begin in the Fall 2009 semester.

“Tray-less dining” was initiated during the summer 2008.

Biodegradable disposables are utilized for outdoor dining events.