President's statement

Claremont McKenna College’s mission is to prepare students to become responsible leaders in business, government, and the professions. To achieve this goal, the College models responsible behavior by acknowledging its social and environmental impact. In the last decade, it has become common for large companies to publish corporate sustainability reports. However, few college or university campuses have implemented thorough data-based analysis of their environmental and social impacts. This report represents the first step of the College towards becoming a leader in sustainability reporting among major colleges and universities.

This report was compiled to meet needs of students, on campus decision makers and prospective students. The report allows current students of the College to be aware of its social and environmental impacts. It also aids decision-makers on campus to make informed decisions regarding their environmental and social choices. Finally, it gives prospective students and their families the opportunity to choose a college which is fully aware of its environmental and social impact.

This report represents CMC’s first effort at collecting and reporting quantitative data related to environmental and social aspects of the college. The administration, faculty, and students are currently working in conjunction with the Roberts Environmental Center towards building a greater, more comprehensive approach at recording data. The College is currently reviewing the implementation of a uniform database for all relevant departments to register appropriate data. The effects of compiling and considering the College’s environmental impact have already been seen: in 2007, the Buildings and Grounds Committee pledged to certify all new on campus buildings LEED silver. This commitment, described later in the report, means all new buildings will be high performance green buildings.

Beyond impacting environmental decisions on campus, it is my hope that this report will set a precedent for environmentally and socially responsible colleges. The College is just beginning to learn the intricacies and difficulties of sustainability reporting. Most importantly, the College is ready to address this challenge beginning with this open investigation into its environmental and social impacts.

Forward statement

This report documents environmental and social information gathered about operations at Claremont McKenna College during 2005. The data cover all of the college on-campus activities unless noted. It is organized according to the Pacific Sustainability Index (PSI) reflecting the aspects emphasized by the index to measure corporate reporting.