Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 67.35
Liaison Laurie Husted
Submission Date June 9, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Bard College
PA-2: Sustainability Planning

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.50 / 4.00 Taun Toay
Associate Vice President
Vice President
"---" 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)? :
Yes

A copy of the sustainability plan:
Bard_Masterplan_Book_170627.pdf

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:
Bard College CAP_ver July-2017__Final Rough Draft__9-8-17lbh no color.pdf

The website URL where the climate action plan is publicly available:
http://bos.bard.edu/energy-facilities-and-climate/

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):
Campus Master Plan Bard EATS Plan: Building a Sustainable Dining System (http://bos.bard.edu/land-and-grounds/) Preservation Master Plan, 2008 (http://inside.bard.edu/arboretum/)

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:
Our aim is to raise annually the number of courses offered with a sustainability component, and to move from 16% to 20% sustainability courses (Climate Action Plan)

Research 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Research and the published plans in which each objective is included:
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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:
Facilitating education and a relationship with the students by holding one event per year which allows for input and involvement, such as panels or discussions (BardEATS) Measuring of participants awareness of the re-use culture through before and after surveys at up to five DIY workshops at our FreeUse (Climate Action Plan) Percentage of students participating in sustainable civic engagement and hours devoted annually are both targeted to increase year-on-year (Climate Action Plan)

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:
Bard's Engaged Liberal Arts program (www.bard.edu/cce/programs/liberalarts/) aims to increase the number of courses that fall under this umbrella program and the number of students who would participate in public and campus engagement projects (Climate Action Plan 2017)

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:
The Bard Climate Action Plan outlines measurable goals for achieving carbon-neutrality by 2035. The results and methodology of the latest GHG inventory are presented, and the plan provides a variety of actions to be taken, each with attributable reductions in CO2e emissions generated by Bard facilities, fleet, transportation, commuting, and waste.

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 Bard Climate Action Plan outlines actions to be taken to reduce energy consumption by buildings, including energy efficiency measures, net-zero new construction, install of on- and off-site renewables, and displacing fossil fuels with electricity or carbon-neutral fuels. At the least, Bard intends to align itself with the goals stated in the New York State 2015 Energy Plan , including 40% reduction in GHG emissions, 50% grid electricity from renewables, and 23% building energy efficiency by 2030. It is expected that Bard can match or outpace this timetable. Specific to building sustainable design, Bard states objectives to pursue LEED (or other comparable sustainability rating systems) in all new construction and major renovation projects.

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 Bard Climate Action Plan outlines actions to be taken to reduce energy consumption by buildings, including energy efficiency measures, net-zero new construction, install of on- and off-site renewables, and displacing fossil fuels with electricity or carbon-neutral fuels. At the least, Bard intends to align itself with the goals stated in the New York State 2015 Energy Plan , including 40% reduction in GHG emissions, 50% grid electricity from renewables, and 23% building energy efficiency by 2030. It is expected that Bard can match or outpace this timetable.

Food & Dining 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Food & Dining and the published plans in which each objective is included:
20% Real Food by 2020 (goal achieved in 2015) Setting a new baseline for 2017 and increasing our Real Food Percentage by 2% per year Ensuring that the Urban Cultivator regularly yields food, at least two full silver trays per week Gaining participation in Choose Your Own Menu Survey by working towards 500 people per survey by 2018 Divesting from one item or company which is discordant with our goals every semester Creating a compost system which includes DTR and is sustained in a closed system, with Bard and Montgomery place involvement, by 2020 Facilitating education and a relationship with the students by holding one event per year which allows for input and involvement, such as panels or discussions Reducing our beef purchasing by 20% by 2020 To reduce food waste within any future renovations by moving away from an all-you-can-eat environment, and ensure that future renovations are working towards a greener system Doubling our efforts of food recovery (10 meals per week by Fall 2017) Eliminate post-consumer waste by 2020 (BardEATS Plan, Climate Action Plan)

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:
Increase use of electric-powered landscaping equipment from 0 to 5% during 2017 which decreases air emissions and improves worker health (Amy Parella, Horticulture supervisor, Bard College Landscape & Tree Care Guidelines, Standards & Considerations Manual REv Jan 2017, Climate Action Plan)

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:
100% on Energy Star purchasing (Climate Action Plan)

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 Bard Climate Action plan outlines short- and medium-term actions, and long-term strategies, to be implemented to reduce CO2e emissions generated by transportation associated with the institutions. This includes achieving reductions in emissions from campus fleet operations, air and ground travel funded by the College, and, eventually, commuting by the Bard community. Actions include displacing fleet fossil fuels with low/no carbon fuels, increasing telecommunications and reducing travel, and encouraging the purchase of alternative vehicles by the public by providing community outreach and installing charging infrastructure.

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:
Reductions in waste production toward climate neutrality goals. Doubling our efforts of food recovery (10 meals per week by Fall 2017) Implemented a food recovery program (BardEATS, Climate Action Plan)

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:
The Water Plant operator achieves yearly reductions in usage on campus through leak detection. The Supervisor of Plumbing and HVAC contributes to water reduction goals through upgrades to WaterSense faucets, toilets and waterless urinals. Efforts are tracked through Service Requests. (Climate Action Plan)

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:
Number of students served; retention; packaging; GPAs. Additionally, the new Dean of Inclusive Excellence is creating a plan which surveys diversity within staff, faculty and students, and sets objectives for improvement. http://www.bard.edu/cie/

Investment & Finance 

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

A list or sample of the measurable sustainability objectives that address Investment & Finance and the published plans in which each objective is included:
In addition to annual phonathons for our Social Choice Fund (an ESG screened endowment option for gifts); the Socially Responsible Investment Committee (SRIC) is charged with reviewing and voting all proxy votes for the College. Additionally, the SRIC chosen four-six companies annually to review for shareholder engagement over issues of concern. This translates into a minimum of one shareholder resolution and/or engagement campaign each calendar year. (Climate Action Plan)

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:
Ensuring health and wellness in menu engineering through goal of gaining participation in Choose Your Own Menu Survey by working towards 500 people per survey by 2018 (Climate Action Plan and Bard EATS plan)

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)? :
Yes

The formal statement in support of sustainability:
Bard College's President, took a pledge of Climate neutrality (There was an official letter marking this pledge).

The institution’s definition of sustainability (e.g. as included in a published statement or plan):
The study of sustainability is inherently interdisciplinary, involving underlying scientific processes, ethical and aesthetic questions, and social relationships. At the same time, for the college to become a model of sustainability students, faculty, and staff must engage with both the campus and community as laboratories, seeking ways to reduce our ecological footprint while enhancing our economic stability and social well-being.

Is the institution an endorser or signatory of the following?:
Yes or No
The Earth Charter No
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 Yes
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:
http://www.bard.edu/bos/about/

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.