Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.78
Liaison Jessica Bowen
Submission Date March 4, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Aquinas College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 4.00 Jessica Eimer Bowen
Director of Sustainability
Center for Sustainability
"---" 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? :
No

A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
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A copy of the strategic plan:
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The website URL where the strategic plan is publicly available:
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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)? :
Yes

A copy of the climate action plan:
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The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
https://www.aquinas.edu/sites/default/files/Climate%20Action%20Plan-%202015-%202018%20update%20-%20Jessica%20Bowen.pdf

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):
Academic Master Plan. Campus Master 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:
The Climate Action Plan commits to the following Phase 2 strategy: Build on the Faculty Sustainability Fellows program to foster research and curricular development projects related to sustainability across the curriculum. It also includes the phase 3 strategy of: establish an endowment fund to support sustainability across the curriculum activities and develop demonstration projects which can be used to both educate students and the community.

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:
The Climate Action Plan commits to the following Phase 2 strategy: Build on the Faculty Sustainability Fellows program to foster research and curricular development projects related to sustainability across the curriculum.

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:
A few objectives include: Phase Two Strategies: • Supply every student room and apartment with "Bye Bye Standby Energy Saving Starter Kits" to reduce standby energy draws from electronics. • Provide training to campus members on energy management technologies currently in place. • Coordinate yearly energy competitions between buildings. Phase Three Strategy: • Upon completion of individual metering of all buildings, provide real-time energy information to building occupants.

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:
1. Continue sustainability and climate-change related programming for the AQ campus community as well as the public (e.g. Recyclemania, Green Chemistry Clearinghouse, Economicology Forums) 2. Further develop the Economicology Google site as a platform for exploration in sustainability.

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:
100% reduction in Total scopes 1,2,3 Emissions by 2040 (Climate neutrality, 2009 as base year). 40% reduction in Total scopes 1,2,3 Emissions by 2020 60% reduction in Total scopes 1,2,3 Emissions by 2025 80% reduction in Total scopes 1,2,3 Emissions by 2030 95% reduction in Total scopes 1,2,3 Emissions by 2035

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:
We keep track of the proportion of LEED buildings on campus compared to the total building number. Several other objectives and strategies for buildings are incorporated into our climate action plan with deadlines.

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:
2 categories related specifically to Power Management and Procurement and the Built Environment. Measurable strategies and objectives were organized around a reduced carbon footprint through information analysis and sourcing of low-carbon or “zero-carbon” energy, as well as energy efficiency through mechanical retrofitting and deferred maintenance programs, design, renovation, and construction of efficient buildings.

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:
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Grounds 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Grounds and the published plans in which each objective is included:
The Climate Action Plan commits to the following phase 3 strategies: (2020) • Purchase LEFE or Electric Vehicles for campus owned vehicles; • Electric lawn and snow removal equipment

Purchasing 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Purchasing and the published plans in which each objective is included:
Yes. For example the Climate Action Plan include the following Phase 3 strategies: • 100% faculty participation in paper-free classes • 100% of conferencing staff promotes paper-free events • Require a Take-Back program for all electronics and equipment not currently on leasing program

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:
Transportation is Key Action Arena in the Climate Action Plan and outlines the following: Phase Two Strategies: • Continue subsidization of the Rapid bus system • Increased promotion of alternative transportation options and resources • On-line academic courses & educational programming Phase Three Strategies: • Purchase LEFE or Electric Vehicles for campus owned vehicles; • Electric lawn and snow removal equipment Phase Four Strategy: • Purchase offsets for remaining travel emissions

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:
The college is aiming for a 90% diversion, the industry accepted definition of zero waste. Our current diversion rate is calculated every week using actual weights of all waste streams on campus. These streams are monitored carefully to assure they are bringing us closer to our zero waste goals.

Water 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Water and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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Diversity & Affordability 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Diversity & Affordability and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Wellbeing & Work and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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)?:
No

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address other areas and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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)? :
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The formal statement in support of sustainability:
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The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
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Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter ---
The Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) ---
ISCN-GULF Sustainable Campus Charter ---
Second Nature’s Carbon Commitment (formerly known as the ACUPCC), Resilience Commitment, and/or integrated Climate Commitment ---
The Talloires Declaration (TD) ---
UN Global Compact ---
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:
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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.