Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.93
Liaison Jen Maxwell
Submission Date April 19, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Appalachian State University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.25 / 4.00 Jim Dees
Data and Assessment Specialist
Office of Sustailability
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Published Plans That Address Sustainability 

Strategic Plan

Does the institution have a published strategic plan or equivalent guiding document that includes sustainability at a high level? :
Yes

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
The '14-19 Strategic Plan, The Appalachian Experience: Envisioning a Just and Sustainable Future, states "Sustainability at Appalachian State University is not a trend, it is a tradition. We are active stewards of our State’s interconnected financial, cultural and natural resources. Through engaged scholarship, we balance critical, creative and global thinking in a living laboratory, transforming theory into practice and fostering responsible citizenship. In addition, metrics in every aspect of The Strategic Plan are based on the STARS 2.0 achievement goals.

A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
https://www.appstate.edu/about/strategic-plan/

Sustainability Plan 

Does the institution have a published sustainability plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the sustainability plan:
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The website URL where the sustainability plan is publicly available:
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Climate Action Plan 

Does the institution have a published climate action plan (apart from what is reported above)? :
No

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
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Other Published Plans 

Does the institution have other published plans that address sustainability or include measurable sustainability objectives (e.g. campus master plan, physical campus plan, diversity plan, human resources plan)? :
Yes

A list of other published plans that address sustainability, including public website URLs (if available):
2017 Strategic Energy and Water Management Plan Zero Waste Strategic Plan

Measurable Sustainability Objectives 

Curriculum

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Curriculum and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Metrics for sustainability in the curriculum is based on the STARS gold rating, >65% achievement by 2019. In addition, a sustainability literacy, a baseline and gain scores research design, is under development.

Research 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Research?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Measurable objectives are defined in the Strategic Plan. Metrics for sustainability in Research is based on the STARS gold rating, >65% achievement by 2019.

Campus Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Campus Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Strategic Plan supports the STARS metrics with a goal of achievement >65% by 2019.

Public Engagement 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Public Engagement and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Strategic Plan supports the STARS metrics with a goal of achievement >65% by 2019.

Air & Climate 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Air & Climate and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Goal of the 2017 Strategic Energy and Water Management Plan: Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 68,000 MT eCo2 by 2019

Buildings 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Buildings and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Strategic Plan has the following measurable objectives STARS Operations credits to be 65% or greater by 2019; 90,000 Btu/GSP by 2019 Renewable Energy Utilization Goal is 0.5% of total consumed energy from university-owned renewable energy systems;

Energy 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Energy and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Strategic Plan and the Strategic Energy and Water Management Plan hold the following goals: Energy use Index target: 90,000 Btu/GSP Renewable Energy Utilization Goal: 0.5% of total consumed energy from university-owned renewable energy systems.

Food & Dining 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
From University of North Carolina (UNC) System Sustainability- UNC Policy Manual 600.6.1: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP): Any purchasing shall, to the extent practicable, improve the environmental performance of its supply chain with consideration given to toxicity, recycled content, energy and water efficiency, rapidly renewable resources, and local production and shall also improve the social performance of its supply chain with consideration given to working conditions and historically underutilized businesses. Appalachian's Food and Dining Services are considered to be "in the supply chain" are is thereby subject to UNC Policy Manual 600.6.1

Grounds 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
From University of North Carolina (UNC) System Sustainability- UNC Policy Manual 600.6.1: Operations and Maintenance: The operation and maintenance of buildings and grounds shall meet or exceed statutory requirements to reduce energy and water use, provide excellent air quality and comfort, improve productivity of faculty, staff and students, and minimize materials use. Further, priority shall be given to the purchase and installation of high-efficiency equipment and facilities as part of an ongoing sustainability action plan following life cycle cost guidelines where applicable.

Purchasing 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Transportation 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Transportation and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Appalachian Experience: Envisioning a just and sustainable future, provides direction for the campus over the course of the next five years. The plan serves as a recognition that the primary focus of the campus is to transform the lives of our students. Strategic Direction 6: Building a Responsive Infrastructure for a Sustainable Campus has the following stated targets of single occupanct vehicle utilitation: students: 85% by 2018-'19 faculty/staff: 28% by 2018-'19 https://www.appstate.edu/_documents/strategic-plan-2014-2019.pdf

Waste 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Waste and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Adoption of a Zero Waste initiative, committing the university to strive toward producing 10% or less landfilled materials by 2022. This program has avoided approximately $65,000 in landfill tipping fees for FY 2012-2013.

Water 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Water?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
From a baseline fiscal year 2002-2003 (2003 NC State Energy Plan Goal), we will reduce water consumption by 40%. The 2017 Strategic Energy and Water Plan has a 2019 goal of 17.15 gallons per square foot

Diversity & Affordability 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
METRICS Sustainability Data STARS 2.0 Engagement Credits: Campus Engagement: >= 65% achievement Public Engagement: >= 65% achievement STARS 2.0 Planning &Administration Credits: Diversity & Affordability: >= 65% achievement Sustainability Literacy: baseline and gain scores research design under development Performance Funding Metrics Bachelor’s Degrees Awarded to Pell Recipients:1,196 by ’14-15 Other Existing Collected Data NSSE: >50th percentile of mean scores on “discussions with diverse others” item in Senior Engagement Indicator scale QEP Assessment: accomplishment of QEP assessment plan and goals Employee Availability & Utilization: Green Zone, or at least 80% utilization within available demographics

Investment & Finance 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Wellbeing & Work 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Strategic Plan Metrics Sustainability Data STARS 2.0 Planning &Administration Credits: Health, Wellbeing & Work: >= 65% achievement Health, Coordination, Planning & Governance: >= 65% achievement Sustainability Literacy:baseline and gain scores research design under development

Other Impact Areas 

Taken together, do the plan(s) reported above include measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas (e.g. arts and culture or technology)?:
Yes

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Sustainability literacy goals student research goals

Optional Fields 

Does the institution have a formal statement in support of sustainability endorsed by its governing body (e.g. a mission statement that specifically includes sustainability and is endorsed by the Board of Trustees)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Our current strategic plan, The Appalachian Experience: Envisioning a just and sustainable future is a formal statement.

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
Statement of Sustainability as defined in the Strategic Plan: Sustainability at Appalachian State University is not a trend, it is a tradition. We are active stewards of our State’s interconnected financial, cultural and natural resources. Through engaged scholarship, we balance critical, creative and global thinking in a living laboratory, transforming theory into practice and fostering responsible citizenship.

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) No
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter No
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment Yes
The Talloires Declaration (TD) Yes
UN Global Compact No
Other multi-dimensional sustainability commitments (please specify below) ---

A brief description of the institution’s formal sustainability commitments, including the specific initiatives selected above:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
https://sustain.appstate.edu/about/commitments/

Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.