| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.35 |
| Liaison | Mary Lucus |
| Submission Date | March 14, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Belmont University
PA-2: Sustainability Planning
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
4.00 / 4.00 |
Mary
Lucus Director, IR Provost |
Does the institution have current and formal plans to advance sustainability in the following areas? Do the plans include measurable objectives?:
| Current and Formal Plans (Yes or No) | Measurable Objectives (Yes or No) | |
| Curriculum | Yes | Yes |
| Research (or other scholarship) | No | No |
| Campus Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Public Engagement | Yes | Yes |
| Air and Climate | No | No |
| Buildings | Yes | Yes |
| Dining Services/Food | Yes | Yes |
| Energy | Yes | Yes |
| Grounds | Yes | Yes |
| Purchasing | Yes | Yes |
| Transportation | Yes | Yes |
| Waste | Yes | Yes |
| Water | Yes | Yes |
| Diversity and Affordability | Yes | Yes |
| Health, Wellbeing and Work | No | No |
| Investment | No | No |
| Other | --- | --- |
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Curriculum:
Belmont is currently working on developing a new leadership program for undergraduate students that focuses on business ethics and ethical leadership – both of which contribute to creating a sustainable business environment. The curriculum involves the College of Business, the Center for Executive Education, and the Division of Student Affairs. In the current year, we brought O.C. and Linda Ferrell to campus as faculty members to help develop programing, both for the campus and the community, that focus on ethical leadership in business. The Ferrell’s have written several top-selling texts for business courses (marketing, leadership, ethics, etc.) and their work with us is to help foster a culture of ethical, sustainable business practices in the heart of our curriculum (which we’ve done well with so far) and to develop continuing education programming that helps businesses focus energy on ethical, sustainable business practices. For example “Dr. Ferrell earned a Ph.D. in Management from the University of Memphis. She holds an M.B.A. and a B.S. in Fashion Merchandising from Illinois State University. Her research interests include marketing ethics, ethics training and effectiveness, the legalization of business ethics as well as corporate social responsibility and sustainability.”
This hiring effort supports the mission of the School of Business which is to hire faculty to support and teach ethical practices. the mission statement is:
We are an innovative, student-centered learning community that prepares entrepreneurial, ethical, and socially responsible future business leaders for the dynamic global economy.
We are committed to:
•Relevant, interactive, and experiential academic programs provided by a faculty with diverse and extensive academic qualifications and professional experience;
•Advising and mentoring students for career growth and development;
•Impactful scholarship that advances the practice, knowledge, and teaching of business and management;
•Engaging the communities we serve through value-added relationships.
Date Revised: July 7, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Curriculum plan(s):
The program provides the participant with a systematic and complete structure to understand and teach organizational ethics. The instructors and participants discuss key frameworks and concepts for teaching business ethics from an applied perspective that reflects the management of organizational ethics. Measurable outcomes will include number of participants in the program and completion rates along with measures of knowledge of key concepts.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Curriculum plan(s):
College of Business, Center for Executive Education, and the Division of Student Affairs
http://www.belmont.edu/business/centers/ethics
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Research (or other scholarship):
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Research plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Research plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Campus Engagement around sustainability:
This support our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan for ensuring long-term organizational strength, adapting to changing environments, and utilizing technology for innovation to promote conservation and sustainability.
We are committed to increase the use of Energy Star products by our students, both to reduce on-campus energy consumption, as well as to teach students how to reduce energy consumption over the course of their entire lives. Our ECO Club is the conduit for campus engagement of students, and the president and vice president sit on the University Sustainability Committee, serving to bring student concerns and ideas to the committee, and to help advance new projects among students. As students come to Belmont in the fall, they are introduced during Welcome Week to our university's commitments and practices to enhance sustainability. And during their time here, they are engaged in sustainability efforts through recycling, energy efficiency contests, and the use of sustainable practices such as using hydration stations across campus instead of bottled water.
Date Revised: July 7, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Campus Engagement plan:
We hold an Energy Star fair regularly to sell products to our students, both to reduce on-campus energy consumption, as well as to teach students how to reduce energy consumption over the course of their entire lives. Our goal is 100% use of Energy Star appliances on campus. Our ECO Club holds a wide range of events each year, several of which attract campus-wide attention. They are also the conduit for campus engagement of students, and the president and vice president sit on the University Sustainability Committee, serving to bring student concerns and ideas to the committee, and to help advance new projects among students. The goal is for the ECO Club to hold convocations on campus, and other events, each month to advance their mission. As students come to Belmont in the fall, they are introduced during Welcome Week to our university's commitments and practices to enhance sustainability. We have found that reaching students in the classroom buildings and residence halls is effective, and in this way they are engaged in sustainability efforts through recycling, energy efficiency contests, and the use of sustainable practices such as using hydration stations across campus instead of bottled water. We have achieved our goal of holding energy usage steady while dramatically increasing the number of students at Belmont, and have no bottled water sold on campus, and in increasing the recycling tonnage each year as well.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Campus Engagement plan(s):
Student Affairs
Facilities Management
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Public Engagement around sustainability:
By teaching students how to communicate about the environment, the Vision 2020 Strategic plan of "meeting our community's needs" supports public engagement both on a local and world-wide level.
A new Communications course will be introduced in Spring 2016 titled Environmental Communication. Public discourse about the environment is one of the most common and contested topics in the U.S. and globally and, as such, is worthy of focused examination in the Belmont curriculum.
Date Revised: July 7, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Public Engagement plan(s):
This course will serve as an elective option for the Corporate Communications major and minor. Measurable objectives will be enrollment and successful completion in the course by students.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Public Engagement plan(s):
College of Business and Communications
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Air and Climate:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Air and Climate plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Air and Climate plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Buildings:
This initiative support our Belmont Vision 2020 Strategic Plan statement of "adapting to changing environments" and "utilizing technology for innovation."
Each new building is designed to be sustainable, which has led to Belmont being the first university in Tennessee to have a LEED certified platinum building. Each new building utilizes the best sustainable practices for that particular building: geothermal heating and cooling; green roofs; automatic LED lighting; hydration stations; composting; recycling bins; etc.
Date Revised: July 7, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Buildings plan(s):
Belmont University had doubled the square footage of buildings on campus in the past 15 years, with an investment of $500 million. As new buildings are planned, each building is designed to be sustainable, which has led to Belmont being the first university in Tennessee to have a LEED certified platinum building. Each new building utilizes the best sustainable practices for that particular building: geothermal heating and cooling; green roofs; automatic LED lighting; hydration stations; composting; recycling bins; etc.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Buildings plan(s):
Office of the President
Office of Finance and Operations
Office of the Provost
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Dining Services/Food:
Belmont University's partnership with Sodexo is long and fruitful in regard to sustainability. We have now built a new, 1,000-seat cafeteria as part of our newest sustainable building, the $88 million Johnson Center. Not only is everything used then recycled, but all food waste is composted in a state-of-the-art composting system which was built as an integral part of the building. We have eliminated all trays, thus reducing food waste and unnecessary dishwashing.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Belmont University has made a firm commitment, in partnership with Sodexo, to make sustainability a key part of all decisions. We have now built a new, 1,000-seat cafeteria as part of our newest sustainable building,. Not only is everything used then recycled, but all food waste is composted in a state-of-the-art composting system which was built as an integral part of the building. We have eliminated all trays, thus reducing food waste and unnecessary dishwashing.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Dining Services/Food plan(s):
Keith Chapman (Belmont University)
Kyle Grover (Sodexo)
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Energy:
Belmont University had doubled the square footage of buildings on campus in the past 15 years, with an investment of $500 million. As new buildings are planned, each building is designed to be sustainable, which has led to Belmont being the first university in Tennessee to have a LEED certified platinum building. Each new building utilizes the best sustainable practices for that particular building in regard to energy usage: geothermal heating and cooling; green roofs; automatic LED lighting; etc. In addition, Belmont uses sophisticated software and innovative practices to ensure that it can minimize energy usage. For example, buildings are cooled by water that is frozen the night before in large chillers, thus minimizing electricity use at times of highest demand.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Energy plan(s):
Each building is designed to be sustainable, which has led to Belmont being the first university in Tennessee to have a LEED certified platinum building. Each new building utilizes the best sustainable practices for that particular building in regard to energy usage: geothermal heating and cooling; green roofs; automatic LED lighting; etc. In addition, Belmont uses sophisticated software and innovative practices to ensure that it can minimize energy usage. For example, buildings are cooled by water that is frozen the night before in large chillers, thus minimizing electricity use at times of highest demand.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Energy plan(s):
Office of Facilities Management: Henry Lacher and Mark Grones
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Grounds:
Belmont University has doubled the size of the campus that is used in the past few years. All of the waste from trimming and gardening is composted. In addition, Belmont has installed a system that captures both runoff and underground water and uses that water to do all irrigation on campus.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Grounds plan(s):
Belmont is committed to put sustainable practices and technologies into place as it continues its rapid growth. While it has doubled the size of the campus that is used in the past few years, it has made sure that 100% of the waste from trimming and gardening is composted. In addition, Belmont has installed a system that captures both runoff and underground water and uses that water to do 100% of the irrigation on campus.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Grounds plan(s):
Vice President Steve Lasley, V.P. for Finance and Operations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Purchasing:
Belmont is committed to purchase recycled paper and cleaning products that are "green." In addition, our partner in dining services, Sodexo, has the same commitment to sustainability.
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Purchasing plan(s):
Belmont has a current and ongoing committed to purchase recycled paper and cleaning products that are "green." In addition, our partner in dining services, Sodexo, has the same commitment to sustainability.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Purchasing plan(s):
Steve Lasley, V.P. for Finance and Operations
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Transportation:
Belmont's Vision 2020 addresses adapting to a changing environments.
Belmont has been a leader in providing We Cars, bicycles on campus for student use, and free bus and train transportation for all faculty, staff and students.
Date Revised: July 8, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Transportation plan(s):
Belmont has grown from 3,900 students to 7,400 students in the past 10 years. During this time, we have therefore dramatically expanded the impact of the free bus and train transportation we provide for all faculty, staff and students to reduce their reliance on less sustainable means of transportation.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Transportation plan(s):
Jason Rogers, V.P. for Administration & General Counsel
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Waste:
Belmont' Vision 2020 Strategic Plan addresses adapting to changing environments and using technology for innovation.
Belmont is committed to put sustainable practices and technologies into place as it continues its rapid growth. While it has doubled the size of the campus that is used in the past few years, it has made sure that 100% of the waste from trimming and gardening is composted. In addition, all food waste is composted in a state-of-the-art composting system which was built as an integral part of the new 1,000-seat cafeteria. And recycling of paper and plastic is done across campus.
Date Revised: July 8, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Waste plan(s):
Belmont has decided to review all waste streams each year to ensure that it has the most effective sustainable practices and technologies in place as it continues its rapid growth. While it has doubled the size of the campus that is used in the past few years, it has made sure that 100% of the waste from trimming and gardening is composted. In addition, all food waste is composted in a state-of-the-art composting system which was built as an integral part of the new 1,000-seat cafeteria. And recycling of paper and plastic is done across campus.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Waste plan(s):
Office of Facilities Management--Henry Lacher, Director
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Water:
Belmont's Vision 2020 Strategic Plan addresses adapting to changing environments and using technology for innovation.
Belmont has installed low-water fixtures in all residence halls, which reduces water waste for over 3,000 students. Belmont has installed a system that captures both runoff and underground water and uses that water to do all irrigation on campus
Date Revised: July 8, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Water plan(s):
Belmont is committed to put sustainable practices and technologies into place as it continues its rapid growth. While it has doubled the size of the campus that is used in the past few years, it has made sure that 100% of the waste from trimming and gardening is composted. In addition, Belmont has installed a system that captures both runoff and underground water and uses that water to do 100% of the irrigation on campus. And as new residence halls are built on average every two years, each one is fitted with low-water fixtures.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Water plan(s):
Office of the President
Office of Facilities Management
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance Diversity and Affordability:
Belmont's Vision 2020 Strategic Plan specifically addresses student diversity. Belmont has inaugurated a Bridges to Belmont Scholarship that serves four of the poorest schools in Nashville. The Bridges Scholars can attend Belmont without paying either tuition or room and board. This new program results in 120 students--overwhelmingly students of color--being able to afford Belmont, and thus increasing our racial and ethnic diversity. In addition to the Bridges to Belmont Office created to serve these students, we have a Welcome Home Team to oversee diversity efforts across campus.
Date Revised: July 8, 2016
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Belmont is ranked #5 by U.S. New & World Report in the Southern Comprehensive Masters University category, yet had remained at almost the very bottom of the list in regard to cost, something recognized by Kiplinger's in a recent survey of affordable colleges. Belmont has inaugurated a Bridges to Belmont Scholarship that serves four of the poorest schools in Nashville. The Bridges Scholars can attend Belmont without paying either tuition or room and board. This new program results in 120 students--overwhelmingly students of color--being able to afford Belmont, and thus increasing our racial and ethnic diversity. In addition to the Bridges to Belmont Office created to serve these students, we have a Welcome Home Team to oversee diversity efforts across campus. they are working to increase the percentage of racial and ethnic minorities in all job categories, as well as among the student body.
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Diversity and Affordability plan(s):
Dr. Susan West, V.P. for Presidential Affairs
Dr. Thomas Burns, Provost
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Health, Wellbeing and Work:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Health, Wellbeing and Work plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in Investment:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the Investment plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the Investment plan(s):
A brief description of the plan(s) to advance sustainability in other areas:
The measurable objectives, strategies and timeframes included in the other plan(s):
Accountable parties, offices or departments for the other plan(s):
The institution’s definition of sustainability:
Belmont University is a student-centered Christian community providing an academically challenging education that empowers men and women of diverse backgrounds to engage and transform the world with disciplined intelligence, compassion, courage and faith. Empowering men and women in a Christian community to engage and transform the world includes educating them to protect and care for Creation. Believing that the natural environment is a gift from God, the university will endeavor to model for its students and the broader community appropriate institutional behaviors which protect the environment including respect for and compliance with all applicable environmental laws and regulations.
The Sustainability Committee brings together decision makers from across campus to ensure that all areas of sustainability are being addressed in a systematic fashion.
Additionally, our School of Arts and Sciences has a separate sustainability committee that meets to discuss ways in which we can better promote sustainable practices within the College of Arts and Sciences. The committee is also involved in conducting research on campus about the practices and attitudes of faculty regarding sustainability efforts.
Does the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document include sustainability at a high level?:
A brief description of how the institution’s strategic plan or equivalent guiding document addresses sustainability:
Belmont University's Vision 2020 has only 7 Strategic Priorities, and #3 has a strong focus on Sustainability, including "finding ways to educate our students regarding the importance of caring for the natural environment" and committing to environmentally sustainable practices as we pursue reducing our per-student carbon footprint."
The website URL where information about the institution’s sustainability planning is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.