Bowdoin did not show any improvement in the second annual College Sustainability Report Card, issued by the Sustainable Endowments Institute (SEI) last week. In the 2008 report, the College maintained an overall B- average with its lowest marks in the "endowment investment" categories. Bowdoin received two "Fs" for endowment transparency and shareholder engagement.
The College did receive high marks for "campus management," however, garnering all "As" in the categories of administration, climate and energy change, food and recycling, and green building. In a new category, transportation, Bowdoin earned a grade of "B." The report cited the College's two hybrid vehicles, use of biodiesel, and its Commute Another Way program, which encourages alternative forms of transportation.
According to the SEI, the 2008 report analyzed the 200 private and public universities in the United States and Canada with the largest endowments. Only six institutions, Harvard, Dartmouth, University of Washington, Middlebury, Carleton, and University of Vermont received an overall grade of "A-," the highest grade awarded.